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Routt County deputies assist in chase on U.S. Highway 40

Routt County deputies responded to a call from the Grand County Sheriff's Office about a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 40 at Rabbit Ears Pass on Friday, Jan. 17.
Grand County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy photo

The Routt County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado State Patrol responded to a call from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office Friday about a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 40 on Rabbit Ears Pass at around 2:20 p.m.

The notice came after the Grand County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a woman in Kremmling who approached a general contractor and allegedly tried to “sell him stolen tools” and was believed to be under the influence of drugs, according to a Grand County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Alexis Lanier, 35, of Denver, was then found by officers in the Dollar General parking lot in Kremmling.



Grand County deputies attempted to approach her, but she allegedly fled the scene in her car, “nearly striking a Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle,” according to the news release.

Lanier then started to accelerate on U.S. 40, “completely disregarding the safety for any oncoming traffic,” and was allegedly driving 75-90 mph, according to the news release.



Grand County deputies attempted to stop the vehicle using “tire deflation devices” but were unsuccessful.

Alexis Lanier, 35, was arrested by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office after a high-speed chase on Jan. 18.
Grand County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy photo

Routt County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado State Patrol were notified as the chase continued westbound on U.S. 40.

According to Colorado State Patrol Officer Sherri Mendez, patrollers responded to the call for assistance at around 3:17 p.m.

The Routt County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to a request for comment before the deadline for this newspaper.

According to a news release issued by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Routt County deputies set up “tire-deflation devices” near mileposts 138 and 139 to prevent Lanier from entering Steamboat Springs.

In the area of milepost 145, Lanier lost control of her vehicle on a curve and crashed into a snow bank, according to the news release. Lanier was taken into custody and evaluated by Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue. She was then taken to the hospital “for further evaluation,” according to the news release.

The news release stated that a Grand County Sheriff’s Office K-9 indicated a positive alert for drugs in Lanier’s vehicle, which deputies then searched and found, “evidence of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin usage.”

Lanier was detained and placed in the Grand County Jail on Saturday. She is charged with vehicular eluding, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and other traffic violation-related charges, according to the news release.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has interacted with Lanier and can offer relevant information to contact a detective at 970-725-3343.


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