Fort Collins Felony Vehicular Eluding Lawyer
Teen Leads High-Speed Chase

A teen was arrested for Felony Vehicular Eluding after leading police on a high speed chase. Read more about these charges here.

We’ve all felt that feeling when we see the police officer in our rearview mirror. Dread, fear, disappointment, and sometimes – panic. The major problem tends to occur when people panic. In that moment, some people really think they can outrun the police and get away with it. It’s not totally rational, but it’s relatively understandable. You definitely don’t think clearly when you are in panic mode. A Colorado teen was recently arrested for what would have been Vehicular Eluding after police tried to pull him over for speeding. According to the report, the teen was clocked going 100 miles per hour on I-80. Police attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the car took off, reaching speeds of 150 mph. However, the car just couldn’t keep up and the engine failed, causing the high-speed chase to come to an end.

Larimer County Felony Vehicular Eluding Attorney: Definition of Vehicular Eluding in Colorado

The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Vehicular Eluding – C.R.S. 18-9-116.5 – is:

Any person who, while operating a motor vehicle, knowingly eludes or attempts to elude a peace officer also operating a motor vehicle, and who knows or reasonably should know that he or she is being pursued by said peace officer, and who operates his or her vehicle in a reckless manner, commits vehicular eluding.

It’s often argued that high rates of speed constitute reckless driving or driving in a reckless manner. It doesn’t mention anything about the police officer involved, but I would imagine he was in a marked car with lights flashing, which would make it clear that the driver was supposed to pull over. By continuing on, not pulling over, and even speeding up – the teens actions would likely meet the Vehicular Eluding standard.

Sentence for Vehicular Eluding in Loveland and Estes Park

In Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park, Vehicular Eluding is a class 5 felony unless one of the following aggravators apply:

  • Vehicular eluding that results in bodily injury to another person is a class 4 felony;
  • Vehicular eluding that results in death to another person is a class 3 felony.

The class 5 felony would likely apply in the situation above. This level felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Sentencing for this crime also includes increased fines. A class 5 felony Vehicular Eluding carries a minimum $2,000 fine. The class 4 felony would be a minimum $4,000 fine and the class 3 felony would be a minimum $6,000 fine.


If you or someone you love has been charged with Felony Vehicular Eluding, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR GREELEY SITE. Together, we can protect your future.

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