High-speed chase ends in death of Leadville man

VILLA GROVE — An 18-year-old Leadville man died in Villa Grove Saturday following a high-speed chase that involved a total of six law enforcement agencies, the Pueblo Chieftain reported Sunday.

Jacob Vanderbeek died after shooting at pursuing officers off and on all the way from Leadville. The chase began when he allegedly threw a hand grenade or pipe bomb out of his car window in downtown Leadville.

Speeds during the chase reached up to 100 MPH.

Colorado State Patrol, Lake, Chaffee and Saguache County officials, also Buena Vista Police, assisted in pursuing Vanderbeek. The chase ended about 9:35 a.m. Saturday when officers shot Vanderbeek and his vehicle crashed just south of Villa Grove, temporarily closing Highway 285. Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.

“Saguache County wasn’t really involved in the actual incident,” Saguache County Undersheriff Tristan Van Zalinge reported Monday. “Two of our officers only assisted after the incident happened.”

No law enforcement officers were injured in the chase.