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Man Responsible For Carjackings, 75-Mile Chase Receives Hefty Sentence

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4) - The man who led authorities on a lengthy high-speed chase and seriously injured a state trooper in the process has been sentenced to 160 years in prison.

Ryan Stone Mugshot
Ryan Stone (credit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office)

Ryan Stone carjacked several people during his Denver metro area crime spree in March 2014 and was sentenced for attempted manslaughter and dozens of other charges in Douglas County Court on Friday. He will be eligible for parole in approximately 75 years.

Bellamann Hee, a trooper with the Colorado State Patrol, ended up with serious injuries, including several broken bones, when a vehicle Stone was driving clipped him as he was trying to place stop sticks on E-470 to halt the chase.

Hee told reporters in a news conference at the courthouse after Stone's sentencing hearing that doctors saved his leg.

"My leg was actually shattered in about 20 something places. It wasn't just a simple tib-fib fracture that you'd get snowboarding or skiing. And also my heel was shattered in more than eight places," he said.

Bellamann Hee
Bellamann Hee (credit: CBS)

Hee said while he still remains in constant pain after undergoing seven surgeries, he is nearing the end of his recovery process and is hoping to return to full active duty with the CSP in a few months.

"To be able to rehab the number of hours that I spend thinking that I'm going to get back on duty just continues to encourage me, to motivate me to continue to be a part of this proud family we call the Colorado State Patrol and all law enforcement. I proudly wear this badge and I want to be able to continue to do so," Hee said.

The chase started when Stone stole a car that had a child sitting in the back seat. The pursuit, which crossed over five different counties and covered 75 miles, started in Longmont and finally ended in Lone Tree where Stone was taken into custody. It went on for 1½ hours during morning rush hour, and speeds exceeded 100 mph. Stone carjacked several drivers along the way.

Wild Car Chase In Denver Metro Area On March 12, 2014
(credit: CBS)

During the sentencing statements, prosecutors surprised many people in the court by airing recordings they gathered of calls Stone made from jail to friends and family.

Family members who testified Friday told the judge how remorseful Stone is, but the judge didn't seem to buy it.

In the recordings, Stone laughs about the chase he led police on, gloats about the worldwide attention it received -- even used profanity describing Hee, saying Hee was dumb for not getting out of the road when he struck him.

In one recording, Stone's mother is heard referring to the judge as biased.

When it was his turn to speak during his sentencing, Stone tried to explain some of those recordings, saying he regretted making some, and that he hopes for forgiveness.

"I pray the victims in this case can find it in their heart to forgive me because right now ... there isn't a day that goes by I don't feel horrible for that March morning," he said. "I am so, so sorry for any and any and all anguish I have caused anyone."

Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler believes Stone will likely die behind bars, "Barring some sort of cryogenics I don't expect him to ever get out of prison. This is tantamount to a life sentence and it's one he earned for what he did."

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