Douglas Co. Deputy Injured In High-Speed I-25 Car Chase

DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO -- A Douglas Co. Sheriff's deputy was injured and two people were arrested after a high-speed chase in which the driver allegedly smashed his vehicle into a police squad car twice Thursday night on I-25 the sheriff's office said. Joshua Soto, 31 was charged with attempted homicide and other charges and is being held on $50,000 bond. His passenger, Hannah Lee, 21, is being held on an outstanding warrant with a bond of $25,750, the Douglas Co. Sheriff's office said.

The chase started around 9:20 p.m., Dec. 28, when Douglas Co. deputies attempted to curb a Chrysler Sebring near C470 and University after identifying the driver and passenger as "fugitives wanted for violation of bond conditions," the sheriff's statement said. Police said Soto sped away northbound on I-25 at "excessive speeds" and police gave up pursuit at the Dry Creek exit. But when Soto allegedly turned around on Dry Creek and re-entered Douglas Co., deputies began the chase again, the sheriff's office said. At that point the driver, Soto, allegedly rammed a marked patrol car into a barrier on I-25, then "intentionally accelerated into the Douglas Co. patrol vehicle a second time, crashing into the deputy’s driver’s side door at an estimated speed of 40-45 mph.," police reports said. A deputy was injured in the crash and was taken to a local hospital, the sheriff's office said. The deputy is expected to make a full recovery.

Soto and Lee were arrested near Mercury and Saturn Drives without further incident.

Soto was arrested and is being held on charges of Attempted Homicide, 1st Degree Assault, Vehicular Eluding, Criminal Possession of ID Documents, along with several other traffic related charges, the sheriff's statement said.

Lee is being held on an outstanding warrant with a bond of $25,750.

Image Joshua Soto via Douglas Co. Sheriff