Archive for Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Man arrested after car chase
Weekend incident leaves trooper's vehicle with minor damage
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Steamboat Springs A high-speed chase early Saturday resulted in the arrest of a Delta man and slight damage to a Colorado State Patrol car.
Robert Jonathan MacFarlane, 24, was driving faster than 100 mph on U.S. Highway 40 at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday near Milner, said Ken Klinger, Routt County Sheriff's Office investigator. MacFarlane is accused of speeding, reckless driving, vehicular eluding, reckless endangerment, criminal attempt at vehicular assault and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Sheriff's Office Deputy Jeffrey Bond was driving west on U.S. 40 when he saw MacFarlane's vehicle driving east near mile marker 118, according to an affidavit.
MacFarlane's 2007 Dodge pickup was traveling about 85 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to Bond's affidavit. Bond reported that he turned around and pursued MacFarlane through Milner. Bond stated that he called dispatch as the vehicle refused to stop.
"With my patrol vehicle at maximum speed, 105 mph, the suspect vehicle continued to pull away from me," Bond stated in the affidavit.
Colorado State Trooper Brett Hilling joined the chase. Hilling told Sheriff's Office and Steamboat Springs police officials to place stop sticks at the western end of Steamboat near Snow Bowl.
According to the affidavit, MacFarlane tried to hit Hilling's vehicle with his pickup. MacFarlane braked as Hilling followed him at speeds higher than 110 mph, the affidavit stated. After Hilling swerved into the westbound lane to avoid hitting MacFarlane's vehicle, the driver followed him into the lane, causing Hilling to drive off the shoulder, the document stated.
Hilling's vehicle hit a delineator post with the driver's side mirror, which caused minor damage, the affidavit stated.
"Hilling had to accelerate, while driving at speeds of near 100 mph, to avoid MacFarlane's vehicle and pull away from MacFarlane," the document stated.
MacFarlane stopped after Hilling placed his patrol vehicle sideways in the eastbound lane of U.S. 40 near mile marker 126, the affidavit stated. Bond reported that he smelled alcohol on MacFarlane's breath. The man was taken to Yampa Valley Medical Center for treatment, and medical officials drew his blood to check for alcohol.
No one was injured, and no other vehicles were involved, Klinger said.
MacFarlane was being held Monday afternoon at the Routt County Sheriff's Office in lieu of $7,500 bail.
- To reach Blythe Terrell, call 871-4234 or e-mail bterrell@steamboatpilot.com


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