Three fatalities: after suspected stolen car flees WCSO traffic stop
Published on May 01, 2025
May 1, 2025
Melissa Chesmore, PRO
Weld County Sheriff’s Office
(970) 400-2809, Desk
mchesmore@weldgov.com
***Update 5/16/25***
The Greeley man involved in the officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 14, 2025, in the 1900 block of 2nd Street, in Greeley, has been identified by the Weld County Coroner as Sean Michael Ybarra, age 35, of Greeley.
The incident remains under investigation by the Weld County Critical Incident Response Team, which will release additional information as it becomes available.
We care about the members of the Weld County community affected by this incident, and we want you to know WCSO is internally investigating the circumstances that led up to this traffic crash.
In addition to our internal investigation, the Colorado State Patrol is conducting a separate investigation into the details of this traffic crash.
What WCSO can share now:
On April 30, 2025, around 3 P.M. a patrol deputy conducted a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle, a GMC Yukon, on Highway 85 near Highway 60. The vehicle was not being pursued before the deputy initiated the traffic stop. As the deputy approached the vehicle on foot, the suspect vehicle drove away at a high rate of speed; details are limited at this time, but as the deputy was trying to relocate and contact the vehicle, the suspect vehicle attempted to evade the deputy and crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a motorist that was not involved in the traffic stop. The driver and passenger of the GMC Yukon died on the scene, as well as the uninvolved motorist the GMC Yukon hit.
The Sheriff’s Office extends our condolences to the victims of this terrible incident that resulted from the actions of the suspect.
We ask for the patience of our community, and everyone involved while we conduct our internal investigation. This is an active, on-going investigation, and because of that, information is changing and evolving, and we have no other details to share at this time.
Steve Reams – Sheriff
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