A dramatic incident unfolded in Colorado when a man, already in custody and handcuffed, managed to steal a police car and initiate a deadly high-speed chase. The suspect, Anthony Alphonso Sanchez III, had initially been apprehended following a report of shots fired and a series of accidents he allegedly caused on Highway 50.
Bodycam footage reveals the moments leading up to the escape. After being apprehended, Sanchez is placed in the back of a state trooper's vehicle. While officers secure a loaded handgun from his car and discuss the prior chase, Sanchez can be seen maneuvering his cuffed hands from behind his back to the front. He then slides into the driver's seat of the police cruiser and speeds off.
Colorado suspect Anthony Alphonso Sanchez III is seen preparing to steal a state trooper's car on June 20 after his capture in a prior police chase. The suspect wound up crashing during a second high-speed chase, suffering fatal injuries. (Colorado State Patrol)
The ensuing chase is captured on dashcam video. Troopers can be heard coordinating the pursuit as Sanchez evades two attempts to stop him with spike strips. Eventually, a third set of spike strips disables the stolen cruiser, causing it to spin out of control and collide with a tractor-trailer. Officers rush to extricate Sanchez from the wreckage, and he is transported to the hospital with severe injuries, but later succumbs to them. The truck driver was unharmed.
Colorado police deployed Stop Sticks across Highway 50 multiple times, finally snagging the suspect's car before he spun out of control and crashed. (Colorado State Patrol)
Sanchez spun out of control after driving over Stop Sticks and hit a tractor-trailer on the shoulder. (Colorado State Patrol)
First responders put out a fire in the hood of the crashed car as police and deputies try to free the suspect from the driver's seat. He later died from injuries sustained in the crash. (Colorado State Patrol)
Prior to the escape, Sanchez claimed his girlfriend had shot at him. The incident began with a shots-fired call, followed by a police chase during which Sanchez allegedly caused multiple accidents.
