Reckless driver arrested after speeding in Rocky Mountain National Park

A 23-year-old male is in custody Monday after speeding and recklessly driving through Rocky Mountain National Park along US Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) late Sunday, park officials said Monday morning.

He has been identified at Wayde Thyfault from Hudson, Colorado, and was apprehended in the High Drive area outside Rocky Mountain National Park late Monday morning, Park officials said.

Late Sunday afternoon the man sped through the Grand Lake entrance on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, failing to yield at the gate and proceeded to drive recklessly on US Hwy 34.

Park Law Enforcement Rangers were notified and attempted to pull the man over, but because of the suspect's high rates of speed and reckless driving, law enforcement rangers backed off the pursuit.

"Rocky Mountain National Park Law Enforcement Rangers were assisted by Estes Park Police and Larimer County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement personnel attempted to slow the vehicle at Deer Ridge Junction and placed strip sticks near Beaver Meadows Entrance," a spokeswoman for RMNP said.

The suspect continued to travel at a high rate of speed south past the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and hit another vehicle with three individuals inside.

The Park said all three individuals were transported by ambulance to Estes Park Health, one with critical injuries.

The suspect exited his vehicle after the collision and ran on foot northeast toward homes along High Drive in Estes Park.

The Park said law enforcement agencies, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park Police Department and Larimer County Sherriff's Office, provided instructions to area residents to shelter in place, which was lifted later Monday morning.

The suspect caught was a white male, 5 foot 9 inches, 165 pounds, bald, was reported to be wearing blue jeans and no shirt or shoes. He appeared to have a head injury from the motor vehicle crash.

He was seen fleeing from his vehicle in Rocky Mountain National Park south of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on US Highway 36 toward High Drive.

"This evening (Sunday), it was determined that this individual is believed to be a suspect in a felony burglary case out of Grand County," the spokeswoman said.