by North Forty News Staff | NorthFortyNews.com
Suspect faces multiple felony charges after causing crashes and hospitalizing a motorcyclist
A Larimer County man is facing multiple felony charges after a reckless chase and wrong-way drive on Interstate 25 caused multiple crashes and temporarily shut down the highway on Monday, September 15.
Deputies with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle around 12:30 p.m. in south Loveland for traffic violations. The driver, identified as Thomas Mazza, 31, refused to stop, eluded deputies, and then drove southbound in the northbound lanes of I-25. Several vehicles crashed as a result of his actions.
Law enforcement performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) to stop the vehicle and safely arrest Mazza. A female passenger inside the car was not injured and was released at the scene.
During the incident, a motorcyclist crashed while trying to avoid Mazza’s vehicle. The rider was transported to a hospital and later released. I-25 northbound was closed for a period of time while deputies investigated.
Mazza was booked into the Larimer County Jail on multiple charges, including:
- Vehicular Eluding Resulting in Bodily Injury (Class 4 felony)
- Vehicular Eluding (Class 5 felony)
- Five counts of Attempted Criminally Negligent Homicide (Class 5 felony)
- False Imprisonment (Class 2 misdemeanor)
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (misdemeanor)
- Domestic Violence (enhancer)
At a subsequent court hearing, prosecutors revealed Mazza was already out on bond for two other cases. The District Attorney’s Office requested — and the court granted — a $100,000 cash-only bond.
The investigation remains active, and deputies are seeking public assistance. Anyone with information or video footage is asked to contact LCSO Investigator Travis Fischer at (970) 498-5585. Video can be uploaded directly at this link.
Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or stopcriminals.org.
The charges are accusations, and Mazza is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Source: Larimer County Sheriff’s Office