Morgan County man accused of stealing semi-truck, ramming it into vehicles faces attempted murder charges – The Denver Post

April 30, 2018

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Morgan County Sheriff’s Office

Chris Luedtke

The man who deputies believe stole a semi-truck Sunday, ramming it into several vehicles as police followed with their guns drawn, faces multiple attempted first-degree murder charges.

Christopher Luedtke, 29, has been a Morgan County resident for a number of years, according to Jim Crone, the Morgan County sheriff. Luedtke faces additional charges of attempted murder of a peace officer, first-degree assault and several other felony and misdemeanor charges.

On Saturday night, authorities say Luedtke stole a tractor-trailer rig from the Sterling area. Deputies say he was chased by three agencies, some of whom fired at the moving vehicle. The semi crashed into several vehicles, including an unoccupied patrol vehicle, according to a statement from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.

Four out of five people whose vehicles were struck were sent to local hospitals, according to the sheriff’s office. One stayed overnight for observation.

Deputies say the truck was heading down streets of Brush, a town east of Fort Morgan, when Luedtke jumped out. The truck continued moving, crashing into two parked vehicles in a front yard. The driver ran into a house, where the homeowner subdued him.

Police on Sunday said drugs and alcohol were were likely a factor in the incident.

Authorities ask anyone with videos or photos of the pursuit to contact the sheriff’s office at 970-867-2461 or by messaging the department’s Facebook page.

Nancy McDaniel-Metzgar, Special to the Fort Morgan Times

This semi truck was the cause of much damage Saturday night in Brush and Fort Morgan, according to witness Nancy McDaniel-Metzgar.
Nancy McDaniel-Metzgar, Special to the Fort Morgan Times

Here is an example of the damage caused by the semi truck that rampaged through Brush Saturday night.
Nancy McDaniel-Metzgar, Special to the Fort Morgan Times

Here is one example of the destruction left behind in Brush after a semi truck plowed through the city Saturday night, with the driver trying to evade police.
Zach Schwindt, Fort Morgan Times

The damage to trees and black marks on the road and curbs along Eaton Street by the intersection with Cameron Street show where a stolen semi truck ran through that area of Brush while being pursued by law enforcement Saturday night. While the 11 other vehicles the semi hit appeared to have been cleared as of Sunday afternoon, many people were out trying to get a look at the aftermath of the pursuit, which ended with the arrest of the still unidentified driver.
Nancy McDaniel-Metzgar, Special to the Fort Morgan Times

This street sign and stop sign were ripped out of the ground during a semi truck’s Saturday night rampage through Brush.
Nancy McDaniel-Metzgar, Special to the Fort Morgan Times

Here is a view of one example of the destruction left behind in Brush after a semi truck plowed through the city Saturday night, with the driver trying to evade police.

Source : Denver Post

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