Stolen Vehicle Makes for Wild Chase on Hwy 50 in SE CO

The Colorado State Patrol is currently investigating an incident Monday, October 8, 2018, involving a stolen vehicle that crashed into multiple vehicles, causing serious and life-threatening injuries. David Refice, age 48, of Pueblo, Colorado, stole a 2007 GMC Sierra Pickup that was parked on the west side of Fowler, near the sale barn. As the 2007 GMC Sierra traveled eastbound on Highway 50, it entered the city of Rocky Ford. A Rocky Ford Police Officer attempted to stop the 2007 GMC Sierra by activating their emergency lights, but terminated pursuing the GMC when it accelerated to a high rate of speed while in the city of Rocky Ford. Otero County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to stop the GMC as it went eastbound on Highway 50, east of Rocky Ford. Shortly after leaving the city limits of Rocky Ford, the GMC Sierra was traveling in the left lane of eastbound Highway 50 when it attempted to push a 2003 Ford Escape, driven by Dahlton McGhee, age 19, of Fowler, Colorado, out of his path. When the GMC Sierra was unsuccessful in getting around the Escape, the GMC drove into the center median to get around the Escape. While driving in the median, the GMC struck a delineator post and highway sign.

The GMC then continued eastbound in the left lane of eastbound Highway 50 for .6 miles when it crossed the median and continued eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 50. Once the GMC crossed into the westbound lanes, Otero Deputies terminated pursing the GMC. The GMC continued eastbound in the westbound lanes for one mile when it struck head-on a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Patrick Cabrera, age 54, of Swink, Colorado. After impact, the GMC began to roll, rolling two and one half times in the westbound lanes of Highway 50, where it came to rest in the roadway, on its top, facing south. The Chevrolet Blazer came to rest, facing east on the left shoulder of westbound Highway 50. Cabrera was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected, sustaining life-threatening injuries. After the Chevrolet Blazer came to rest, a 2007 Toyota Prius, driven by Robert Frazier, age 62, of La Junta, Colorado struck the rear, left side of the Blazer. The Prius came to rest, facing west on the left shoulder of westbound Highway 50. Both Frazier, and his passenger, Rita Frazer, age 66, were wearing seatbelts, and were not injured.

The driver of the stolen 2007 GMC Sierra, David Refice, was also seriously injured as a result of the crash. He was also not wearing a seatbelt when the incident occurred. Excessive speed and driving on the wrong side of the roadway is being investigated as factors in the crash.

Case #2C180760