JUVENILE DRIVER CRASHES AFTER ATTEMPTING TO FLEE TRAFFIC STOP
- Media Logic Radio
- May 4
- 2 min read
PRESS RELEASE POSTING - Morgan County Sheriff's Office:
On Monday, May 4, 2026, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputy was traveling eastbound on Interstate 76 near mile marker 75 when a vehicle was observed entering the interstate at a very high rate of speed.
After several miles, the deputy caught up to the vehicle near mile marker 79, where radar confirmed the vehicle was traveling 112 miles per hour.
The deputy activated emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle initially slowed and moved toward the shoulder as if it were going to stop, but then accelerated and exited at mile marker 80, an area currently under construction.
The driver lost control in the construction zone, striking a barrier and a large pile of dirt, causing the vehicle to roll. The vehicle then continued into the parking lot of the Phillips 66, where it struck a dumpster, fence, and an enclosed trailer.
Deputies contacted the driver, identified as a 16-year-old male, who was attempting to crawl out of the overturned vehicle. Deputies immediately requested Fort Morgan Fire Department and ambulance personnel and began rendering aid until medical staff arrived.
The juvenile male admitted to deputies that he intentionally crashed the vehicle after seeing law enforcement. Deputies also detected the odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from the driver.
The juvenile male driver is from Lafayette, Colorado, and claimed to be going to Nebraska.
The driver was transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.
This incident remains under investigation, and charges are pending.
We are thankful this reckless decision did not result in injuries to innocent motorists or responding emergency personnel.
As always, all parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
