by Brian Orr
HUERFANO- A high speed chase which began in Costilla County ended just west of Walsenburg on Wednesday, April 1. At approximately 4:43 pm, a Colorado State Trooper attempted to stop a 2008 Mazda 6 on Colorado 160 near Mile Post 275, La Veta Pass, in Costilla County for speeding. The driver, identified as Benjamin Glenn, 22, of Phoenix, Arizona, accelerated and refused to stop. Speeds reached 120 mph as the Mazda descended La Veta Pass into Huerfano County.
State Troopers attempted to stop the pursuit by deploying Stop Sticks, a tire-deflating device, across the road several times. Each time Glenn swerved around the Stop Sticks, continuing to elude Troopers.
Just west of Walsenburg near Mile Post 304, Troopers were able to Stop Stick the vehicle’s tires. The driver swerved, lost control and collided with another eastbound vehicle. The Mazda then went off the right side of the road where it rolled. Glenn fled on foot but was chased down by Huerfano County Sheriff Captain Kevin Vallejos, who leapt over a fence and tackled the suspect in the middle of the Cucharas River.
There were no injuries to the other driver or Troopers. Glenn was treated at Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center and booked into the Huerfano County Jail. Charges are pending through the District Attorneys Office in Trinidad.
Troopers recovered just over 20 pounds of marijuana from the vehicle.
Jeffrey Lougee, 47, Denver, was the driver of the other vehicle that Glenn collided with. Lougee was uninjured in the collision.
