CSP Trooper intervenes to get a dangerous driver off Highway 24
Colorado State Patrol Troopers held flashlights Wednesday night as they inspected the bent hood of one of their own cruisers.
The damage was from intervening to get suspect, Maya Rodriguez, off the road.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy checked on Rodriguez at Constitution and Marksheffel when her car was stopped and hazards on, she left the scene with no signs of intoxication, but after that, she started driving erratically.
Deputies tried to pull Rodriguez over at Highway 24 and Constitution, but she did not stop. She continued driving dangerously down eastbound Highway 24.
Her maximum speed topped out at 40 miles per hour, but the slow speed chase turned to a call for help.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from Colorado State Patrol.
Before CSP can intervene, Rodriguez deliberately tries to drive into oncoming traffic, then turns around to go westbound on Highway 24.
The CSP trooper then initiates a Tactical Vehicle Intervention, also known as a pit maneuver.
Troopers are trained in the to get drivers stopped and to protect the safety of the public.
“What we will do is we will spin the car so that we stop the pursuit,” Trooper Gary Cutler said.
Cutler said they continually evaluate safety in chases, even slow speed ones.
Someone like Rodriguez, who are choosing not to stop, worries him.
“Anytime that somebody is not stopping for law enforcement for whatever reason, that’s when we start getting into more danger for the public,” Cutler said.
Neither the trooper nor Rodriguez was injured Wednesday night.
Rodriguez was booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center, she’s facing charges of Second Degree Assault on a Peace Officer, Reckless Endangerment, and Vehicular Alluding.
