CLEAR CREEK, Colo. — A high-speed pursuit resulted in a semitruck crash and fuel spill on Interstate 70 Tuesday morning.
Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office deputies chased a driver heading the wrong way on I-70 for approximately 20 miles, according to Colorado State Patrol (CSP). The incident began around 3:15 a.m. when the Idaho Springs Police Department issued a BOLO for a stolen Mitsubishi Endeavor.
The suspect allegedly fled from officers and entered the eastbound lanes of I-70. During the pursuit, deputies attempted to assist Idaho Springs officers when the driver reportedly sideswiped a Toyota Camry, leading to a collision with a Kenworth semitruck. The impact caused the semitruck's fuel tank to rupture, spilling diesel fuel onto the highway.
Authorities confirmed that the driver of the Endeavor was taken into custody and later transported to a local hospital as a precaution. No other injuries were reported.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) closed the affected section near the Eisenhower Tunnel for cleanup and investigation, reopening the highway around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
CSP is conducting the investigation. Witnesses who have not yet spoken to law enforcement are urged to contact CSP Dispatch at 303-239-4501.