A Flagstaff man is facing felony charges after Chaffee County deputies say he tore through the Trout Creek Pass area at highway-racer speeds, then took off from a traffic stop with two kids in the car.
Deputies identified the driver as 24-year-old Angel Parra Andrade. Authorities say the chase started when a deputy clocked a vehicle going about 30 mph over the posted 55 mph limit, then watched the driver refuse to pull over and speed away. When deputies finally caught up with the car, they say they found two juvenile relatives inside and turned them over to the Department of Health and Human Services. Another deputy later spotted the vehicle on a county road and took Parra Andrade into custody.
What deputies say happened
According to Chaffee County deputies, the trouble started near Trout Creek Pass when the vehicle was seen traveling roughly 85 mph in a 55-mph zone. The pursuit did not slow down from there. Officials say speeds topped 90 mph at times as the deputy tried to catch up.
The sheriff's account states that the deputy activated lights and sirens, but the driver did not stop and briefly managed to get out of sight before law enforcement relocated the vehicle and continued the investigation, as reported by KDVR.
Children found in the car
The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office said on social media that two juvenile relatives were inside the vehicle when deputies recovered it. According to the agency, the children were placed with the Department of Health and Human Services after the stop.
The same post notes that another deputy later located the vehicle on a county road and arrested the driver without any further incident. The sheriff's office described him as a 24-year-old from Flagstaff and provided initial booking details.
Charges and booking
Authorities booked Angel Parra Andrade into the Chaffee County Detention Center on a $2,000 bond and say he faces multiple counts, including felony vehicular eluding, reckless endangerment, child abuse, and a speeding charge for going 25 to 39 mph over the posted limit, according to KDVR.
Prosecutors will ultimately decide which charges move forward. Court records will show the formal filings and list any additional counts. Parra Andrade is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
How Colorado law treats vehicular eluding
Under Colorado law, vehicular eluding that involves reckless driving is treated as a felony offense. State statute C.R.S. 18-9-116.5 generally classifies vehicular eluding as a class 5 felony unless someone is injured or killed, which can increase penalties. Legal summaries note that convictions can bring prison time along with driver's license consequences, according to Justia.
What comes next in the case
The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still active and that more information could be released as the case moves through the courts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office.
Local court dockets will show if and when prosecutors file formal charges, as well as upcoming hearing and arraignment dates.
