Watch CBS News

Man Sentenced For Alcohol-Induced Car Chase That Sparked Fire On I-25

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4)- A Falcon man was sentenced to prison on Friday for his role in an alcohol-induced car chase that sparked a fire along Interstate 25 nearly one year ago.

A Douglas County judge sentenced Garrett Dean Neugebauer to 24 years in the Department of Corrections for the chase that sparked a fire along I-25 in February 2015.

Garrett Neugebauer
A mug shot of Garrett Neugebauer from a previous arrest in El Paso County (credit: El Paso County Sheriff's Office)

Investigators say the Neugebauer, 42, had a business dinner and drinks in the Denver Metro Area. Once the event ended he headed home to El Paso County.

A witness reported seeing Neugebauer in Castle Pines and told investigators he drove over several curbs and that he almost hit two cars while driving on the wrong side of traffic. When Douglas County deputies tried to stop to Neugebauer, he drove off hitting another vehicle in the process and initiating a high-speed pursuit.

Roadside Brush Fire 3 (from CSP-CastleRock tweet)
(credit: Colorado State Patrol)

Dramatic dash camera video from one of the deputies' cruisers was released after Friday's sentencing hearing. It is captures every move during the chase. He is seen driving southbound on I-25, weaving in and out of traffic, shoulder to shoulder at times reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph and striking several vehicles.

Several minutes into the chase officers were able to deploy stop sticks, blowing out one of the tires on Neugebauer's truck. Refusing to slow down he kept going, sparks flying from the wheels causing a small grass fire along the interstate.

The video shows Neugebauer pulling off I-25 and into an empty parking lot where he is then surrounded by patrol cars. Several officers can be heard yelling commands but he doesn't respond and is hit with a stun gun before being transported to the hospital.

According to information from the Arapahoe District Attorney's Office, Neugebauer's blood alcohol content was at a .269, over three times the legal limit.

The investigation revealed that the defendant had three previous alcohol-related convictions. This case resulted in his fourth. The defendant was on probation for a 2012 Larimer County alcohol-related case. He was also wanted in Otero County for a traffic case at the time of the incident.

Roadside Brush Fire 1 (from CSP-CastleRock tweet)
(credit: Colorado State Patrol)

On October 23, 2015, he was found guilty of four different charges including driving under the influence and attempted first-degree assault.

District Attorney George Brauchler released a statement after Neugebauer was sentenced, "Every time someone chooses to drink and drive, they put themselves ahead of the families and loved ones of our community. Whether by pure luck or divine intervention, no one died after Neugebauer's alcohol-induced rampage in our neighborhoods and streets. He had many chances for therapy and treatment and it's clear that the only way for him to take it seriously, is to have him incarcerated. He can't drink and drive in prison."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.