Article Contributed on: 7/30/2009 3:48:30 PM
The driver in July 30's high-speed chase that ended with a crash in Castle Rock has been identified as 23-year-old Jacob Huerta of Colorado Springs.
Huerta was released from Sky Ridge Medical Center about 6 p.m. Thursday, and Castle Rock Police placed him under arrest.
Huerta was booked into the Douglas County Jail, where he's being held on $100,000 bond.
Police arrested him on suspicion of four felonies - first-degree assault of a police officer; felony vehicular eluding; possession of a controlled substance; and aggravated motor vehicle theft. He also was arrested on suspicion of several lesser crimes: reckless endangerment; child abuse; driving under the influence of drugs; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In addition, Colorado Springs Police were in the process Thursday evening of filing warrants charging Huerta with first-degree kidnapping and felony vehicular eluding along with several misdemeanor crimes.
The two females who were in the car with Huerta when it crashed - a 30-year-old Colorado Springs woman and her 14-year-old daughter - were expected to be released from the hospital Thursday evening. They are considered victims of, not accomplices in, today's events.
The mother is in a relationship with Huerta.
The sheriff's deputy who was injured in the crash also has been released from the hospital.
All four who were hospitalized had minor injuries.
In addition to the charges he'll face stemming from today's events, Huerta is wanted on three El Paso County warrants - one for contempt of court and two for failure to appear.
He is expected to make his initial court appearance for the Castle Rock cases Friday morning.
No further release of information on this case is expected. Questions may be directed to Castle Rock Senior Community Relations Specialist Karen McGrath, 720-290-2287.
High-speed chase ends with crash in Castle Rock
A high-speed chase that began in Colorado Springs at midday Thursday ended with a crash in Castle Rock.
Police initially were called to the 600 block of Skyline Avenue in Colorado Springs at 11:34 a.m. regarding a possible kidnapping. A neighbor had reported seeing women being forced into a maroon car.
Springs police responded and saw a male driver, a woman and a girl inside a maroon Nissan Sentra. As the officers approached, the Nissan took off at a high rate of speed.
Meanwhile, the neighbor again called police, saying one of the females had gotten out of the car and was forced back inside, leading police to believe the report of a kidnapping was legitimate.
Springs police began a pursuit, which eventually led onto northbound Interstate 25 via the Bijou Street interchange at mile-marker 142.
The Colorado State Patrol took over the chase at mile-marker 149. Troopers pursued the Nissan for nearly 30 miles, with speeds reaching as high as 120 mph.
Meanwhile, Castle Rock police officers and Douglas County sheriff's deputies began preparing for the chase that was coming their way.
The Nissan exited I-25 at Plum Creek Parkway, mile-marker 181, about 12:30 p.m.
A Castle Rock officer who was stationed at the interchange saw the Nissan in line for the stop sign at the exit and pulled in behind it.
The Nissan's driver made a u-turn in attempt to again head north on I-25 but could not do so because there was another car on the on-ramp. That's when he drove north through a construction area near the interchange. The Castle Rock officer and a Douglas County sheriff's deputy followed.
The Nissan driver then made a second u-turn to head back south through the construction zone.
The Castle Rock officer quickly pulled out of the way and turned around in attempt to follow the Nissan back south. Meanwhile, the sheriff's deputy began preparing to put down stop sticks in attempt to bring the chase to a halt.
That's when the Nissan collided with the deputy's car.
The 23-year-old male driver, a woman and a 13-year-old girl were in the Nissan at the time of the crash. All three of them were taken to Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree for evaluation. The man complained of chest pains.
The sheriff's deputy also was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The man will be arrested upon his release from the hospital. Exact charges still are pending, but it has been confirmed the Nissan was stolen. Castle Rock and Colorado Springs investigators were at the hospital Thursday afternoon following up on the case.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.