CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A 52-year old man was placed in custody and now faces multiple felony charges after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit on May 7th, 2020.
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office say that they arrested Charles Peek following a 31-mile chase through rural eastern areas of Laramie County that ended with the suspect’s car crashing and catching on fire.
According to court documents, Peek made his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court on Monday, May 11th, 2020 to hear felony charges of Interference with a Peace Officer – Attempt to Injure, Eluding, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Methamphetamine read to him.
Peek was also charge with a misdemeanor count of Reckless Driving.
The LCSO says that one of their deputies attempted a traffic stop on a Jeep Cherokee during the evening hours of May 7th, 2020 after they observed the driver of the vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign near Campstool Road.
Peek was later identified as the driver of the Jeep.
According to law enforcement, Peek’s vehicle accelerated when the deputy activated their lights and siren to peform the traffic stop.
The deputy went on to report that during the pursuit, Peek pulled into a driveway on Campstool Road, where a passenger jumped out of the Jeep and ran away. It’s alleged that Peek then drove onto an oil road where he led authorities around dirt roads and fields until he returned back to Campstool road.
LCSO says that Peek accelerated away from them and reached speeds of approximately 93 mph during a pursuit that spanned around 31-miles.
The LCSO went on to say that as the pursuit was nearing the Colorado border, Troopers from the Wyoming Highway Patrol arrived to assist.
It is alleged that Peek swerved his vehicle at a pursuing Trooper’s vehicle several times at speeds of 70-100 miles per hour, causing the two vehicles to collide.
“We were driving over 75 mph,” a deputy with the LCSO says. “If not for the driving ability and reactions of Trooper (name withdrawn), this action could have resulted in serious physical harm to the Trooper.”
According to court documents, Peek lost control of his vehicle after he collided with the Highway Patrol car.
“The vehicle left the roadway and rolled approximately one and three-quarters times before landing on its driver’s side in an empty field,” officials with the Sheriff’s Office said.
The affidavit says that after Peek was placed into custody a search of his vehicle was conducted where .275 ounces of marijuana, 1.1 grams of methamphetamine were located.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office.
