In the early morning hours of December 26, 2022, just after 1:00am, an on duty Sheriff’s Patrol Division Lieutenant observed a sedan back into a fuel pump at a convenience store located in the 7900 block of Silicon Heights in unincorporated El Paso County near Marksheffel & Constitution.  The vehicle immediately fled through the parking lot at a high rate of speed and turned onto northbound Marksheffel Road.  

The Lieutenant pulled in behind the vehicle and illuminated his emergency lights to indicate to the operator of the vehicle to stop.  The vehicle did not stop and fled the traffic stop, continuing at a high rate of speed.  

Due to the low severity of the crime (possible private property damage and careless/reckless driving), the Lieutenant terminated the pursuit by shutting off his emergency lights.  However, the vehicle swerved across the median, into oncoming lanes of traffic, and eventually crashed on the opposite side of the road and came to a complete stop.

With the assistance of other Sheriff’s Deputies, the driver was taken into custody without further incident.  No one was injured.  He was identified as Ernesto Cruz, DOB: 5-8-1992.  The subsequent investigation determined probable cause to arrest him for DUI.  He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on the felony charge of Eluding as well as for DUI and Reckless Driving.  He later posted a $2,000 bond and  was released.  His booking photo is attached to this media release.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and stands committed to the safety of the motoring public at all hours of each day.

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