Reckless driver in Rocky Mountain National Park high-speed chase incident charged

The man accused of driving through Rocky Mountain National Park recklessly, Wade Thyfault, was formally charged by complaint with one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced Thursday.

Thyfault is accused of driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck through the Grand Lake entrance gate without stopping, then speeding and driving recklessly along the entire 48-mile long stretch of U.S. Hwy 34 (Trail Ridge Road), before crashing his vehicle near the junction of Mill's Drive and U.S. Hwy 36 in Estes Park, Colorado.

Prior to the crash, as Estes Park police officer placed stop sticks across the road at the junction of Bear Lake Road and U.S. 36 to try and deflate Thyfault's tires, but the sticks appeared to have only punctured one tire.

Thyfault continued for another two miles before colliding with a silver Toyota Corolla in Estes Park, injuring three people, one occupant critically.

Thyfault fled the scene on foot and area law enforcement searched for him for some time before finding him the next day after a homeowner in Estes Park reported a break-in at their residence.

Thyfault made his initial appearance in court in Denver, Colorado on Thursday in front of Chief United States Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent of the charges unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the National Park Service.