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Search For Suspects Who Ran From Crash Scene Comes Up Empty

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) - An intense search for a man and woman who ran from the scene of a car crash on Thursday morning turned up empty.
On Thursday evening, authorities said the suspects had been identified but did not release the names.

Lockouts were ordered for eight schools in Douglas County during the search.

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The car crash happened at approximately 8:40 on C-470 near South Quebec Street after the suspects swerved over several lanes of traffic and then struck a middle highway barrier.

"A vehicle changed over multiple lanes and crashed into the barriers," said Sgt. Lori Bronner, spokeswoman for the Douglas County Sheriff's office. "A male party took off running from the scene ... Later on (we think) the woman did flee from the accident."

The suspects were described as being possibly Hispanic, and a witness told authorities the man may have had a knife. The man was described as having tattoos on his neck and possibly his face.

So far it's not clear what crimes the couple may be tied to, but police responded in force because it is unusual for someone to run from the scene of a crash.

"The descriptors matched a couple descriptors of wanted suspects from other local law enforcement," Bronner said. "Anytime anyone runs from law enforcement you have to wonder why they're running from a scene with a weapon.

The search for the suspects included multiple police agencies, said Bonner.

"We had officers on the ground, on foot, we had K9 units in the area, we also had a helicopter out there. So we did a very intensive search," said Bonner. "We sent out a code red to residents to keep an eye out."

People who live along University Boulevard and Quebec received reverse 911 calls alerting them to a possible armed suspect on the run in what is typically a quiet and calm neighborhood.

"You'd like to thing that you live in a safe neighborhood and things like that can't happen to us. The reality is it does sometimes," said resident Troy Valdez.

Bonner said authorities don't suspect the two people are in the area any longer.

The schools that were on lockout in the morning were as follows:

- Acres Green Elementary
- Arrowwood Elementary
- Cougar Run Elementary
- Eagle Ridge Elementary
- Fox Creek Elementary
- Lone Tree Elementary
- Cresthill Middle
- Highlands Ranch High

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