On Wednesday, Dec. 10, an Archuleta County man was taken into custody after allegedly being involved in a single-vehicle rollover, stealing the vehicle of a witness who stopped at the scene, ramming into an Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) patrol vehicle and crashing the vehicle.
According to an ACSO press release, at approximately 5:05 a.m. a single-vehicle accident involving a vehicle rollover was witnessed and called in at approximately mile marker (MM) 134 on U.S. 160.
“A witness exited his vehicle to ascertain the nature and extent of the accident,” it explains. “While the witness was out of their vehicle, the driver of the vehicle involved in the initial vehicle rollover stole the witness’s vehicle and left the scene heading eastbound at a high rate of speed.”
The press release further explains that, while en route to the crash, an ACSO patrol deputy “located the stolen vehicle traveling east at approximately MM 136. The deputy turned on the vehicle and attempted to affect a routine traffic stop. The deputy followed the vehicle southbound on S. Pagosa Blvd., continuously attempting to make a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle turned around in a cul-de-sac and rammed the ACSO patrol vehicle. The vehicle continued northbound on S. Pagosa Blvd at a high rate of speed until eventually it crashed into the bar ditch, coming to a complete stop.”
The driver, Ronnie Elward McCauley, 55, of Archuleta County, was taken into custody and transported to Pagosa Springs Medical Center for a medical evaluation, then transported to the Archuleta County Detention Center, according to the press release and Sheriff Mike Le Roux.
According to the press release, “The driver was booked by the Colorado State Patrol on the following charges: Drove Vehicle While Ability Impaired by Alcohol or Drugs or Both (Fourth [or] Subsequent Offense), Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Vehicular Eluding Created a Risk of bodily Injury by Operating a Motor Vehicle in a Reckless Manner, Theft, Drove Vehicle Other Than Vehicle Equipped with Approved Ignition Interlock Device.”
The press release adds, “We are extremely grateful that there were no injuries sustained to the witness, any members of the public or Sheriff’s Office employees.
“We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence of any substance. As we approach the holiday season, please be responsible by planning a sober ride, never let an impaired person drive, wear your seatbelt, and call 911 if you see an impaired driver on the road.”
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