July 26, 2024 |
Photo – Snowy Range highway – Bigfoot99 file photo
A police chase through the Snowy Range ends with an 18-year old suspect from Saratoga killing himself.
Late Wednesday evening, a Saratoga Police Officer attempted to stop a green and gold Subaru Outback for speeding in town. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Saratoga resident Ayden Lecureux, refused to stop for the police officer and attempted to flee. Lecureux reached speeds of 60 miles an hour in town as he fled south along Highway 130.
Lecureux then turned east toward the Snowy Range, with the Saratoga police officer in pursuit. The officer called for assistance from the Wyoming Highway Patrol and Albany County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect crossed the mountains into Albany County. Highway Patrol Troopers and Albany County Deputies intercepted Lecureux west of Centennial.
Albany County Sheriff’s Deputies deployed spike strips at milepost 25, successfully deflating the front tires of the Subaru. The suspect pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. As the responding officers issued commands to the suspect, police say Lecureux took his own life with a single gunshot to the head.
Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers attempted CPR on Lecureux, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation remains open, pending an autopsy and the coroner’s reports.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Saratoga Police Department gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Albany and Carbon County Sheriff’s Offices, the responding EMS units from rural and Laramie Fire, and the Albany County Coroner’s Office. Responding units also wish to express their condolences to the Lecureux family.
Eighteen-year-old Lecureux’s motive for choosing to run from the police and end his own life isn’t known at this time. Bigfoot99 will continue to investigate and report back with any new information.
