A man attempting to evade police officers at City Market on Tuesday night ran into traffic on Main Street and struck the side of a moving vehicle, police said Wednesday.
Cortez Police Lt. Andy Brock said Sheldon Keams, 24, of Arizona, and two highly intoxicated and uncooperative individuals were trashing the bathroom and tearing up toilet paper at City Market. Employees at the grocery store were attempting to get them to leave. The individuals then exited the south entrance of the store, where arguments continued.
Police officers arrived, and Brock said Keams appeared to be the main aggressor. He said officers grabbed Keams and attempted to place him in a patrol vehicle. One of the other individuals became uncooperative, and officers turned their attention away from Keams. Police said Keams then ran across the City Market parking lot into the westbound lane on Main Street and collided with the left front wheel of an eastbound vehicle.
“He actually ran into a car,” Brock said. “Car didn’t hit him. He ran into the car.”
Injuries were very serious, Brock said, and Keams was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction.
Eastbound traffic on Main Street was redirected in the area of City Market and Best Western Turquoise Inn and Suites for about 45 minutes. Cortez Fire Protection District and a Southwest Health System ambulance crew treated the man’s injuries as he lay in the roadway. Keams lost his hat and one shoe on impact.
Cortez police investigated the incident, and Colorado State Patrol provided traffic control.
Brock said no charges were filed against Keams. He said police were attempting to write him a trespass notice, stating that he is not allowed back at City Market or else he could get a ticket, but due to his life-threatening injuries and being from Arizona, they decided it wasn’t worth it.
sdolan@the-journal.com