A stolen truck in Summit County led to a tense confrontation last night, when patrol cars were bashed and shots were fired near the Walmart in Evergreen, closing I-70 for several hours.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirms it was tracking the truck with help from the owner here in Summit. Authorities quietly tailed the stolen vehicle as it moved east on I-70, stopping once for gas in Clear Creek County before pulling into the Walmart at the Evergreen exit.
When the suspect left Walmart, troopers and sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull him over. That is when he fled, slamming into patrol cars several times. A state trooper fired several shots at the truck without hitting anyone.
What followed was a brief chase to a runaway truck ramp east of Evergreen, near Genesee, where the suspect crashed. He was apprehended soon after and taken to the hospital with minor injuries. A trooper was also treated for minor injuries.
Adding another wrinkle to the incident was a box in the truck. The owner told authorities it “contained a tool with radioactive material on it,” according to 9News. The truck had to stay where it was in Evergreen until the owner picked it up. Authorities have not said if the radioactive tool and theft are connected.
Charges are now pending for the unnamed suspect. Eastbound I-70 was closed for several hours between Lookout Mountain and the Evergreen exit.