Colorado Man in Custody After Allegedly Dragging Officers, Ramming Patrol Vehicles

A man is in custody in Clear Creek County, Colorado, following a series of incidents yesterday that began with a hit and run and escalated into an assault on law enforcement officials.

The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office (CCCSO) reports that the suspect, identified as Aaron Family, initially drew attention on Saturday with reports of reckless driving and harassment in the parking lot of a Safeway in Idaho Springs. Deputies attempted to locate Family at his Dumont home, but found him driving a dark gray Toyota Tacoma on Dumont Road. When officers attempted to remove Family from the vehicle, he allegedly put the truck in reverse, dragging an officer and a deputy several feet before fleeing and striking a patrol vehicle.

During the pursuit, which continued onto I-70, Family allegedly rammed his vehicle into another patrol vehicle, disabling it. He was eventually taken into custody after a stop stick deployment on Stanley Road, but not before a brief foot chase and allegedly spitting on a detective. One officer sustained a serious leg laceration during the initial encounter but has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation provides resources and support to local law enforcement agencies during critical incidents like these.

Family is currently facing multiple charges, including 1st Degree Assault on a Peace Officer with Deliberation, Menacing, Vehicular Eluding, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, Failure to Give Information and/or Aid After Damaging Another Vehicle, and Second Degree Assault. The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident.

Authorities stated that Family will be held pending further court proceedings.