DENVER, CO — The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has released the identities of the individuals involved in a devastating head-on crash that occurred Tuesday during a high-speed pursuit in Clear Creek County. Authorities confirmed that the driver of the Lexus struck in the collision was 51-year-old Steven Ainsworth of Arvada, and the suspect fleeing law enforcement was 29-year-old Christopher Neil Moore, with a 27-year-old female passenger (name not released) also involved.
According to the CBI, Ainsworth was driving westbound on U.S. 6 just before Tunnel 6 when his vehicle was struck head-on by Moore’s car, which was fleeing law enforcement. The impact caused Ainsworth’s vehicle to be pushed off the roadway, where it rolled and ultimately came to a stop. He was life-flighted to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead. Ainsworth was the sole occupant of the Lexus.
Moore also died as a result of the crash, while the 27-year-old female passenger sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The pursuit began after the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office received reports of Moore’s vehicle near Floyd Hill on U.S. 40. Moore allegedly fled west on U.S. 6, drove the wrong way on an I-70 eastbound off-ramp, and continued west in the eastbound lanes. Law enforcement noted that traffic was minimal due to rock scaling traffic holds in the construction zone, which prevented further collisions during this portion of the chase.
Moore, who was on parole from the Department of Corrections, is believed to have been responsible for over 30 vehicle break-ins across multiple mountain jurisdictions. Among the stolen items recovered from previous incidents were a firearm and ammunition. The pursuit escalated when Moore returned to the I-70 off-ramp to U.S. 6, allegedly driving aggressively toward law enforcement vehicles and a deputy preparing to deploy stop sticks, ultimately causing him to lose control of his vehicle.
A secondary crash on U.S. 6 involved deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responding to assist in the matter. One officer collided with a concrete barrier and was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.
The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and fatal collision. Officials urge anyone with information regarding Moore’s prior criminal activity or the crash to contact law enforcement.
This tragic incident has shaken the local community, highlighting the dangers posed by high-speed pursuits and criminal activity on Colorado’s roadways. Our thoughts are with the family of Steven Ainsworth and the injured individuals affected by this catastrophic event, as well as the law enforcement officers who responded to protect the public.
