The man run over Tuesday while attempting to stop the thief who stole his pickup truck has been identified as Timothy J. Walcott, 53, of Englewood.
Walcott is listed in serious condition at Denver Health Medical Center, according to hospital officials and Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson.
Jackson said the vehicle, a black GMC four-wheel-drive pickup with chrome wheels and tinted windows, was recovered this morning in an alley on East 25th Avenue, between Lafayette and Humboldt streets.
Jackson said that Walcott apparently gave the suspect permission to use the pickup at about 11:30 a.m. Monday at a hotel at 5225 Vasquez Blvd. The truck was not returned, however, according to Jackson.
About 24 hours later — at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday — Walcott spotted the pickup near East 17th Avenue and Pearl Street, where he tried to stop the occupants.
The passenger in the truck jumped out, but the driver gunned the pickup and ran over Walcott.
The exact relationship between Walcott and the suspect is unknown, said Jackson. Police have been unable to talk to Walcott, said Jackson.
Jackson said that the passenger in the vehicle was questioned and released. Jackson declined to reveal what the passenger told investigators.
Carmon Hicks, a witness to the incident, said Walcott walked to the driver’s side window and then walked in front of the truck when the driver gunned it.
Walcott was yelling, “Hey this vehicle is stolen,” or “You are stealing my vehicle,” or something like that, said Hicks.
At that point, the driver simply ran over Walcott, said Hicks. “The guy just hit the gas and ran him over.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
