San Juan County deputy hit when Colorado Springs woman shoots self

An undersheriff in San Juan County is recovering after being hit by a bullet from a Colorado Springs woman who shot herself following a high-speed chase early Tuesday morning.

According to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, the chase started in La Plata County and deputies picked it up on Highway 550. They were able to stop the vehicle near Molas Pass (MAP).

When the deputies approached the vehicle, the female driver pulled out a gun and fatally shot herself. Undersheriff Steve Lowrance tried to stop her but was shot in the face after the bullet went through the driver.

The San Juan County Coroner’s Office identified the driver as 30-year-old Amanda Maes of Colorado Springs, according to the Silverton Standard.

Two other people were in the car and were taken into custody, according to the sheriff’s office.

Undersheriff Lowrance sustained non-life threatening injuries and was released from the hospital.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is leading the case.