GREELEY, Colo. (AP) - One teenager’s arm was severed and four other youths were seriously injured when a car being pursued by police sped through a flashing red light and collided with another vehicle.
The driver, identified by police as Nicholas James Folks, 18, of Westminster was among those hurt after his green sedan slammed into a pickup truck shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday.
The occupants of the truck were not injured, investigators said.
The pursuit began after an officer saw the driver of the sedan race past a stop sign, according to a release issued by police. Police chased the sedan, but called off the pursuit when the speeds became too dangerous.
The officer obtained license plate information and continued to follow the sedan without lights and sirens. Another officer saw the car go through the flashing red light and collide with the pickup, police said.
The four passengers in the sedan were teens, 14 to 17 years old. One had an arm severed in the crash. Additional information on the injured passengers could not be obtained because of federal privacy regulations.
Police said alcohol was a factor in the accident.
Folks, the suspected driver, is facing prosecution in two cases: one involving charges of underage drinking and driving without a license; the other on a charge of second-degree assault.
He was listed in serious condition at the North Colorado Medical Center on Sunday evening.