A man who police say carjacked a taxi minivan in downtown Denver before he crashed it into a tree in Civic Center remained in the hospital Wednesday evening. His injuries were not life-threatening.
Officers had yet to interview the man, who appeared to be driving the taxi when the accident happened, said Sonny Jackson, spokesman for the Denver Police Department.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, allegedly stole the Union Taxi vehicle and drove it to the Diamond Shamrock at 1001 Broadway. The man robbed the convenience store before he led police on a pursuit.
Around 1 a.m., the taxi was cruising east on East Colfax Avenue before it jumped the curb along the north side of Civic Center, skidded through the park near the water fountain and crashed into a tree.
The driver of the taxi had scuffled with the suspect near the Ramada Hotel at West 26th Avenue and Zuni Street, said Bill Fawcett, general manager of Union Taxi.
The driver, who Fawcett said was treated for minor injuries, has worked for Union Taxi for about two years and owns the minivan. Jordan Steffen and Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
