Deputies identify suspect who almost hit trooper during chase in Falcon
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- El Paso County Sheriff's Office says 42-year-old Arthur Tyrone Espinoza was arrested after a high-speed pursuit near Falcon.
On Thursday, the sheriff's office says it received a call from an CDOT employee who had spoken to Espinoza, who was driving a white sports utility vehicle. Espinoza told the employee that his family was being tortured and then drove off.
The CDOT employee followed the suspect in his vehicle and saw him drive erratically while relaying the information to the sheriff's office.
Just before 6 p.m., deputies located the white utility vehicle near the intersection of Highway 24 and Soap Weed Road. Deputies say they started a pursuit when the suspect failed to stop.
The suspect continued to drive dangerously and often crossed into the opposing lane of traffic at a fast speed, according to authorities. EPCSO says they requested the help of Colorado State Patrol.
As troopers setup stop sticks, deputies tried to funnel the suspect off of Highway 24 to prevent a major head-on collision. Deputies say the suspect veered around two patrol vehicles and drove directly toward a trooper setting up the stop sticks.
A sergeant used their vehicle to hit the suspect's car and prevent him from hitting the trooper on the side of the road. The sergeant was able to stop the suspect's vehicle and arrested the suspect immediately.
Espinoza was booked into El Paso County Jail and faces several charges including, attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, vehicular eluding, reckless endangerment, DUID, reckless driving, driving under revocations, and parole violation.
