WATCH: Centennial man sentenced to five years after pleading guilty following pursuit in Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Centennial man has been sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to felony eluding of a peace officer following a pursuit in Douglas County, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's (DA) Office.

The DA's office says 24-year-old Zakary Dean Hirschfield was stopped by a Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) deputy for speeding in Castle Pines in January 2026. According to officials, during the stop, Hirschfield suddenly sped up and drove towards the deputy, forcing them to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Officials say Hirschfield had a female passenger who screamed as he drove away. The DA's office says Hirschfield then continued through Highlands Ranch and Littleton, going over 100 mph, crossing medians and going against traffic before eventually crashing into another vehicle.

According to the DA's office, Hirschfield then abandoned his car and passenger and fled on foot. The DA's office says the passenger later told DCSO she had repeatedly asked Hirschfield to stop. After the crash, deputies, specialized units and aerial resources searched for Hirschfield to track his movements through a Littleton neighborhood.

The DA's office says an hour later, DCSO found Hirschfield hiding under a porch in only his underwear. They say after searching his car, they found cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Hirschfield had had run-ins with the law before, the DA's office says. In November 2024, an Arapahoe County judge gave Hirschfield probation and community service for a conviction of attempted distribution of fentanyl, but his probation was revoked three months later. The DA's office says it was re-awarded to him in June of 2025, but in August 2025, a motion to revoke his probation was filed in Arapahoe County the same day he was given a PR bond in Jefferson County for a felony robbery charge.

"This case highlights the ripple effects of decisions made by other law enforcement agencies who had opportunities to lock this guy up before this dangerous episode," District Attorney George Brauchler said in a press release. "As a public safety reminder to those who choose lawlessness: this is the wrong jurisdiction for you. Hirschfield should serve as another example of what happens when someone chooses to flee our excellent law enforcement officers and put us in danger. We will chase you. We will use drones and other technology to find you. We will bring you to justice. Commit your crimes somewhere more forgiving, or heck, maybe don’t commit them at all."

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