Driver Tries To Hit Pedestrian In Chase Near Boulder: Deputies

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Deputies are searching for a pedestrian who was nearly struck by a driver during a chase Friday in Boulder County, officials said. No injuries were reported.

José Alfaro-Vega, 29, was charged with aggravated motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, reckless endangerment, attempted vehicular assault and other counts, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said.

A vehicle with heavy front-end damage was reported to deputies around 7:30 a.m. near South Boulder Road and McCaslin Boulevard. A detective found the vehicle parked on the side of the road, but when the patrol car pulled up, the damaged vehicle took off, officials said.

Deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Alfaro-Vega didn't stop, the sheriff's office said.

He then turned onto Foothills Highway and tried to strike a pedestrian who was walking across the road, deputies said.

Then just before Jay Road, a sergeant rammed the vehicle, which forced it into a ditch. Alfaro-Vega ran from the vehicle and tried to carjack another vehicle, officials said.

Deputies were able to catch him, and he was taken into custody.

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In addition to vehicle theft and eluding charges, Alfaro-Vega was also charged with possession of burglary tools and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, the sheriff's office said.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has not been able to identify the pedestrian who was almost hit, officials said. Anyone with information is asked to call the office's communications center at 303-441-4444.