A Northglenn man faces a serious assault charge following a high-speed incident in Rocky Mountain National Park that left three people injured, one critically. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado released a statement confirming that 24-year-old Wade Thyfault was charged by complaint with one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The charge stems from events on September 8, when Thyfault allegedly failed to stop at the Grand Lake entrance to the national park and engaged in a dangerous pursuit with law enforcement.
The complaint outlines that Thyfault was behind the wheel of a Dodge Ram, which entered the park and quickly became the subject of a chase. As the vehicle raced erratically through the park, it was near the intersection of Mill's Drive and Highway 36 where the Ram collided with a Toyota Corolla. The impact of the crash, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, caused significant injury to the occupants of the Corolla. Fleeing on foot, the driver of the Ram was later apprehended after a homeowner in Estes Park reported a home invasion.
Following his arrest, Thyfault made his initial appearance before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty on September 12, in Denver, Colorado. While the charges are currently allegations, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The incident continues to be under investigation by the National Park Service, with Assistant United States Attorney Garreth Winstead leading the prosecution. The gravity of the event underscores the inherent risks of high-speed pursuits, both to the public and to those who veer from the rule of law.
