On January 22nd, 2026, at about 11:20PM Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Seth Hoffman observed a grey pickup truck traveling southbound on Highway 291 allegedly traveling 66 miles per hour in a posted 35 mile per hour zone (close to the Salida city limits). Deputy Hoffman attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver refused to yield to his emergency lights and sirens.
Because there was little/ no traffic on the roadways Deputy Hoffman pursued the vehicle. The driver turned the vehicle around near the Salida city limits, after striking a parked car, and began driving northbound on Highway 291. The pursuit continued the length of highway 291 and approximately five additional miles on Southbound Highway 285 before the vehicle came to rest after losing traction on the roadway. During the pursuit the suspect vehicle reached speeds up to 121 miles per hour.
The driver, identified as Garrett Allen Heifner age 24 from Salida, CO, was taken into custody and transported to the Chaffee County Detention Center where he was held on a $5,000.00 bond for the following charges:
Speeding 40 MPH or More Over the Posted Speed Limit, class 2 traffic misdemeanor, Vehicular Eluding, class 5 felony, Driving Under the Influence, class 1 traffic misdemeanor, Reckless Driving, class 2 traffic misdemeanor, Failure to Report and Accident, class 2 traffic misdemeanor, Reckless Endangerment, class 2 misdemeanor, Drank from and/or Possessed an Open Alcohol Container in a Motor Vehicle, class A traffic infraction, Failed to Provide Evidence of Insurance, class 1 traffic misdemeanor, Prohibited Use of a Weapon (Possessed Under the Influence), class 1 misdemeanor, Failed to Obey a Traffic Control Signal, class A traffic infraction, and Failed to Use Turn Signal, class A traffic infraction.
Heifner is presumed innocent unless/ until proven guilty in a court of law.
-Sheriff Andy Rohrich
