Multiple collisions lead to police standoff in northeast Longmont

A series of hit-and-run collisions on Monday afternoon led to a standoff between Longmont Police and a suspect, according to Deputy Chief Jeff Satur. 

Multiple collisions with vehicles were reported on the northeast side of Longmont near 21st Avenue and Collyer Street before Longmont Police Officer Allison Lockhart arrived on scene. A Longmont resident posted a video of the confrontation on YouTube, though the video is unlisted. 

The driver of a white SUV crashed into a residential driveway around the 100 block of Wetterhorn Way, causing damage to the property as well as civilian and police vehicles before the car was immobilized. Officers barricaded the street with patrol vehicles to prevent the suspect from fleeing, though the SUV had sustained significant damage to the front passenger side wheel.

Multiple officers on scene issued commands for the driver to exit the vehicle but the driver did not comply, according to Satur. An OC (pepper powdered) less-lethal projectile and a K9 unit were released into the vehicle to subdue the suspect before officers could successfully remove the suspect from the vehicle. Other than the less-lethal projectile, no firearms were discharged during the incident.

“We’re fortunate that we had a lot of officers make very good decisions that day,” Satur said. “It was intense and I’m thankful that injuries were minimal.”

Longmont emergency responders secured the scene after the suspect was taken into custody. Satur said the suspect's vehicle was on fire by the time he arrived at the scene and Longmont Public Safety was already assessing local damage. 

The suspect sustained injuries from multiple collisions and has since been hospitalized. Multiple charges against the suspect are pending with probable cause, but Longmont Public Safety will not release details to the public while the investigation is ongoing. 

This story will be updated as more information comes available.

Correction: Pepper spray was changed to OC (pepper powdered) less-lethal projectile for accuracy