A traffic pursuit ended on Berthoud Pass on Thursday afternoon after a Colorado Department of Transportation plow operator maneuvered in front of the vehicle to shield traffic from a potential collision.

Authorities say the driver initially fled when a sergeant with Grand County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop him after he drove past a safety closure point on U.S Highway 40 near the Mary Jane entrance in Winter Park.

The snow plow and silver Jeep Cherokee collided around noon about 5 miles east of the summit of Berthoud Pass near mile marker 247. The plow sustained some damage while the other vehicle was totaled. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

---

---

According to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, the sergeant was staffing the Berthoud Pass closure while winter operations were taking place. The closure was publicized across social media platforms as well as on an electronic sign displayed at the top of the pass.

The driver of Jeep Cherokee continued past the closure point and the sergeant attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle. The Jeep disregarded the stop and continued heading eastbound on U.S. 40. Once the suspect entered into Clear Creek County, the sergeant suspended the stop and warned other law enforcement agencies about the vehicle.

---

---

Shortly after this, the Jeep was reported to have crashed into a snow plow just east of the Berthoud Pass summit.

The plow operator says the motorist appeared to be driving towards the traffic. The operator managed to maneuver the plow in front of the Jeep, which stopped it, according to an email from CDOT Region 3 Communication Manager, Elise Thatcher.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Empire Police Department and Colorado State Patrol all responded to the accident.

The Empire Police Department arrived to the scene first and took 33-year-old Randy Calvin into custody, who had allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot.

Calvin was booked into the Grand County Sheriff’s Office Jail on traffic charges related to the incident and an outstanding felony arrest warrant regarding parole violation.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office thanked the other responding agencies for their support in a press release.

“All too common in today’s society, the rule of law is questioned, which ultimately puts our communities at risk from those who choose to put their own agendas at the forefront over the safety of other citizens,” Sheriff Brett Schroetlin stated. “This behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Grand County, where we will continue to enforce the law and arrest those that violate it.”

Sky-Hi News was scheduled to have a reporter in the same plow involved in the collision for a ride along, but it was canceled due to the accident.