Man arrested after allegedly stealing car, fleeing from authorities into RMNP

ESTES PARK, Colo. — A 21-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly stole a vehicle and drove it into Rocky Mountain National Park while fleeing from authorities.

Around 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, multiple people reported an allegedly drunk driver traveling erratically along U.S. Highway 36 headed toward Estes Park. The reports described the vehicle as a GMC Yukon. Callers said the driver was swerving, passing illegally and did not have its headlights on.

An officer with the Estes Park Police Department, as well as a deputy with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Officer, located the vehicle just outside of town and tried to stop it, but the driver refused to pull over. The authorities followed the driver into Rocky Mountain National Park. With help from park rangers, law enforcement stopped the vehicle with a precision immobilization technique maneuver and the driver was taken into custody.

He was identified as Damien Martinez, 21.

Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | January 26, 8am

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