The Garfield County Fair Parade had a scary end as a woman attempted to flee police on the crowded parade route. According to Rifle Police Department, the Chief of Police was driving when a vehicle began tailgating the Chief’s unmarked patrol vehicle. The driver was screaming obscenities and attempting to hit the rear of the Chief’s vehicle. Additional officers were in the area and they initiated a traffic stop. When asked to exit the vehicle the driver put her vehicle into drive and pulled away, striking barriers, tables, chairs, and running stop signs while being pursued by the officers. “The suspect vehicle passed stopped traffic on the right shoulder at a high rate of speed placing vehicles and parade onlookers in danger.” An officer saw the suspect vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed and “chose to engage the vehicle to stop it due to the high amount of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in that area. He struck her vehicle on the passenger side…She continued to attempt to pull away and additional officers pinned their vehicles against her in an effort to keep her stopped.” 30-year-old Diana Jean Anaya was booked into Garfield County Jail on charges of Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, 1st degree assault on a peace officer, DUI, and Eluding. Anaya has additional charges stemming from incidents in the Rifle area on July 5th, 10th, 14th, and 19th.
