Boulder Engine 143 Accident

Photo courtesy of Boulder Fire-Rescue Department

On April 29th, 2026 around 03:39 Boulder Police & Fire Communications dispatched Boulder Fire-Rescue Department Engine 143 to the Boulder County Jail, 3200 Airport Rd. in Boulder on a medical call. While the Engine 143 crew was inside the jail’s booking lobby treating a patient, a suspect that was just released from the jail, got into their engine and drove away. Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deputies seen the engine driving at 34th St. and Valmont Rd. and refused to stop and pull over and a pursuit started with the assistance of Boulder Police Department. He then drove south on Foothills Parkway before turning east on Arapahoe Ave. and then driving north on Hwy. 287. Longmont Police Department officers deployed stop sticks in multiple locations along Hwy 287 at Plateau Rd. and on Pike Rd. and then on Ken Pratt Blvd. He was still driving Engine 143 as the tires were deflating and then lost control and came to a stop at 1st Ave. and Main St. in downtown Longmont. The suspect then jumped out of the engine and ran away. Within minutes he was arrested by Boulder County Sheriff’s deputies and Longmont Police Department officers. Engine 143  sustained significant damage, and is one of two newer 2025 electric RTX engines for Boulder Fire-Rescue Department. Two Boulder County Sheriff vehicles also sustained significant damage as well as minor damage to another sheriff’s office vehicle. There were no serious injuries to any first responders or community members, however, a Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deputy sustained a minor injury from the foot pursuit of the suspect. Additional information provided by Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and Boulder Fire-Rescue Department

Photo courtesy of Longmont Police Department

Photo courtesy of Boulder Fire-Rescue Department