A high-speed chase and a near miss with a deputy culminated in the arrest of a Johnstown man, now facing multiple charges after an eventful early morning in Loveland. On October 23, minutes after 3 a.m., a Larimer County Sheriff's Office deputy narrowly avoided being hit by a speeding Buick Encore during a traffic stop, as reported by Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
Following the close call on Eisenhower Boulevard and Sculptor Drive, law enforcement attempted to halt the Buick, driven by Terrick Wilkins, who instead escalated the pursuit driving through Loveland, with the chase reaching breakneck speeds of over 110 miles per hour, unfortunately during the chase, Wilkins collided with a patrol car and eventually led officers down the wrong way on I-25, before barricading himself in a Berthoud barn. After deploying a drone, authorities managed to locate and arrest the suspect. Wilkins was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the Larimer County Jail on multiple charges, including vehicular eluding and criminal trespass. "This suspect came within inches of taking our deputy's life, then endangered our community by driving recklessly to get away," LCSO Undersheriff Joe Shellhammer said, as per Larimer County Sheriff's Office, stressing the imperative need for accountability.
No injuries were reported, a small mercy in an incident that easily could have had graver consequences. According to Shellhammer's statement, Wilkins' actions showed a "complete disregard for public safety" which he deemed unacceptable. Wilkins' charges include attempted vehicular assault and resisting arrest, alongside a slew of traffic offenses, such as careless driving and speeding over 40 miles per hour above the limit, a booking photo was released in conjunction with the arrest announcement.
