Executive Summary
- U.S. Marshals arrested Jared Brooks, 30, in downtown Denver on Friday morning.
- Brooks is accused of stealing a shuttle bus and driving through an active crash scene on I-70.
- Investigators allege he nearly struck multiple first responders and CDOT workers.
- Brooks faces charges including four counts of attempted first-degree murder.
U.S. Marshals have arrested a 30-year-old man accused of stealing a public shuttle bus and driving it recklessly through an active accident scene on Interstate 70. The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Jared Brooks was taken into custody early Friday morning in downtown Denver, ending a manhunt that began earlier this week.
According to investigators, Brooks was located and arrested at a residence on Osage Street. The charges stem from an incident on October 10, where police allege Brooks stole a Clear Creek County Roundabout shuttle bus. Authorities stated that after commandeering the vehicle, the suspect drove it through an existing crash scene on I-70 near Idaho Springs.
Police reports indicate that during this erratic drive, the stolen bus nearly struck several first responders and workers from the Colorado Department of Transportation who were managing the initial accident. Earlier in the week, law enforcement released surveillance footage which they claim shows Brooks behind the wheel of the shuttle during the incident.
Brooks is now facing numerous charges related to the event. Most notably, authorities have charged him with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, reflecting the alleged danger posed to the emergency personnel at the scene.
Judicial and Safety Implications
The decision to file attempted first-degree murder charges indicates that prosecutors view the endangerment of the emergency crews as a severe and potentially deliberate act, rather than a case of simple reckless driving. This case brings renewed focus to the safety protocols and risks faced by first responders working on major interstate corridors like I-70. As the legal proceedings commence, the surveillance evidence cited by police will likely play a central role in establishing the sequence of events. It is important to note that Jared Brooks is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.