Puffer Vehicle Stolen, Man In Critical Condition After Crash
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) - A young man is in critical condition after three vehicles were involved in a crash at a Thornton intersection Tuesday morning.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office says a company Ford F-150 pickup truck was stolen while puffing. It had an onboard GPS system, so the owners tracked the vehicle and contacted police.
"The vehicle was left running apparently in an effort to warm up … and the vehicle was stolen from the driveway. The victims were giving us updates because they had a GPS tracker in the vehicle," Sgt. Jim Morgen with the Adams County Sheriff's Office said.
Authorities pursued the vehicle, but stopped at East 78th Avenue and Washington Street as they deemed the chase too fast.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., the suspected thief crashed the truck into two cars farther north on Washington Street at East 84th Avenue.
"There was nobody pursuing at the time when this accident happened," Morgen said.
The jaws of life were used to remove a door from a white Acura and extract the 24-year-old man inside. He who was taken to the hospital and has been listed in critical condition with severe head and internal injuries . His name hasn't been released.
The other driver, of a black car, was not injured and was able to speak with police.
"I'm a lucky man," said a witness to the crash who almost pulled out in front of the stolen truck.
"It shocked me. I was like, 'Wow, I'm glad I didn't pull out any sooner than I did. I would have been involved,'" the man said.
The suspect ran from the scene but was caught several blocks away.
"We understand that it's a little chilly in the mornings, but it's best to just get in your car, stay in your car, and warm up with the vehicle, instead of leaving your vehicle unattended. It is against the law in the state of Colorado," Morgen said.
The suspect was also injured in the crash but his name and condition haven't been released. They expect charges to include auto theft, eluding and vehicular assault.