Ongoing police operation near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center – Estes Park Trail-Gazette

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK UPDATE, 12:18 a.m., Monday, September 9, 2024

Late this afternoon, a 23-year-old man sped through the Grand Lake entrance on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Park police officers were notified and attempted to stop the man. He failed to yield the right of way and continued driving recklessly on US Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road), passing vehicles at a high rate of speed on the 48-mile stretch of this mountain highway through the park. Due to the suspect's high speed and recklessness, police officers terminated the pursuit.

Rocky Mountain National Park Police officers were assisted by the Estes Park Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. Officers attempted to slow the vehicle at Deer Ridge Junction and placed patrol batons near the Beaver Meadows entrance. The suspect continued south at a high rate of speed past the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and struck another vehicle with three occupants. All three people were taken by ambulance to Estes Park Health, one with critical injuries.

After the collision, the suspect exited his vehicle and ran on foot northeast toward homes along High Drive in the town of Estes Park. Law enforcement agencies, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park Police and the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, urged residents to seek safety.

The suspect was identified as a white male, 5'9″ tall, 165 lbs., bald, reportedly wearing blue jeans and no shirt or shoes. He appeared to have sustained a head injury from the car crash. He was last seen fleeing his vehicle in Rocky Mountain National Park south of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on US Highway 36 toward High Drive. This evening it was determined that this individual is believed to be a suspect in a Grand County burglary case that is still under investigation. The suspect is still at large. If you see this individual, do not approach him and call 911 immediately.

Because this is an active investigation and an evolving incident, no further information is available at this time.

ORIGINAL PUBLICATION, 8:04 p.m., Sunday, September 8, 2024

Rocky Mountain National Park is temporarily closed on the east side of the park from US Highway 36/Spur 66 to the Beaver Meadows entrance due to an ongoing police operation and investigation. Law enforcement agencies, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park Police Department, and Larimer County Sheriff's Office, are searching for a white male, 5' 9″, 165 pounds, bald, reportedly wearing blue jeans and no shirt or shoes. He was last seen fleeing his vehicle in Rocky Mountain National Park south of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on US Highway 36 toward High Drive. If you see this person, do not approach him and call 911 immediately.

Because this is an active investigation and an evolving incident, no further information is available at this time.

Originally published: September 8, 2024 at 22:14