I-70 WB Closed at Utah Border Due to Car Jacking & Attempted Sex Assult Suspect-UPDATE

Yesterday (7/10) I-70 WB was closed at the Utah border due to a high speed car chase that resulted in a rollover of a suspected car jacker that had attempted to sexually assault a woman out of Lakewood

We will keep you updated as we receive info!

Update 8:56

Heather Benjamin from the Grand Junction Police Department has told us,

Multiple agencies are involved in what was the pursuit and attempted traffic stop of a wanted subject out of Lakewood, Colo. The suspect vehicle crashed near the state line (about mile marker 1) about 7:45am. GJPD, FPD, CSP and MCSO including SWAT members from both MCSO and GJPD are on scene. The Bearcat was used to approach the suspect/vehicle out of caution for officer safety. At about 8:30am, deputies made verbal contact with the suspect who remains in the crashed vehicle. The westbound lanes of I-70 were closed and may still be closed, but CSP was trying to get traffic rerouted and open at least one lane for traffic to flow.

No info is available on the Eastbound lanes and we will update you as we receive more details.

Update 8:57:

Eastbound lanes are now closed.

Update 9:25:

Eastbound lanes are now open.

Update 10:33

Westbound lanes are being turned around at Rabbit valley and returned to Mack down Hwy 6.

Update 11:40

Authorities report that a suspect has been shot and killed.

Update 12:20

Utah has approved the use of US 6/50 as an alternate route for all traffic. The westbound closure point has moved back to Mack, at I-70 Exit 11.

Update 7/11 The following is the press release we recieved from local law enforcement regarding this incident.

MESA COUNTY, Colo – The 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the fatal shooting of a man suspected in Lakewood of attempted sexual assault and carjacking.

Just before 7am, Lakewood Police aired an Attempt to Locate for the suspect, who was armed and driving a pickup truck. This ATL was also aired to law enforcement in Mesa County. An investigator with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office spotted the pickup near the West Gate Inn on Hwy 6&50. The suspect began heading westbound on I-70. Multiple agencies pursued the suspect at highway speeds and there were multiple attempts to use stop sticks to get the vehicle stopped, but the suspect was able to avoid them. Near mile-marker 1, a Colorado State Patrol trooper forced the pickup off the side of the interstate. The suspect remained in the pickup.

Officers tried to negotiate with the suspect to get him to come out of the pickup. SWAT officers from the Grand Junction Police Department and Mesa County Sheriff’s Office also responded and used tactical steps to try to get the man to come out of the vehicle. When he eventually came out, he pointed what is believed to be a gun at the officers and deputies. The officers and deputies fired multiple shots at the suspect, who died at the scene.

As is standard for all officer involved shootings, the Critical Incident Response Team is conducting a thorough investigation of this incident. Also, as a standard practice, the officers and deputies involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave while the investigation takes place.

From the AP

Lakewood police spokesman Steve Davis says the man is suspected of trying to abduct a woman at the Colorado Mills mall last night and then fleeing in her pickup truck.