A Denver Police Department officer who was arrested after fleeing from Colorado State Patrol troopers at speeds over 100 mph was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to drunken driving in Jefferson County District Court.
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Christopher Thomas, 30, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, a misdemeanor, and eluding an officer, a traffic infraction, as part of a plea agreement, according to court records. Prosecutors dismissed charges of felony vehicular eluding, misdemeanor reckless endangerment and reckless driving, a traffic infraction, as part of the deal.
Thomas was arrested Dec. 5 after a Colorado State Patrol trooper clocked his truck driving 102 mph in Jefferson County. Thomas, who was off-duty and in the truck with another officer, drove onto Interstate 70 and was headed eastbound at 90 mph before he spotted the trooper behind him and sped up to over 100 mph, CSP investigators said.
The trooper stopped following the truck but used a partial license plate to link the vehicle to Thomas. Another Denver police officer who learned of the incident later reported it to a DPD sergeant, who notified internal affairs.
Investigators also found texts between Thomas’ passenger and one of his family members that discussed reporting the truck as stolen because Thomas “couldn’t get caught up tonight drinking at all … because they’re going to associate that with the car tonight and alcohol and the car don’t mix.”
District Court Judge Tamara Russell sentenced Thomas to two years of probation and 48 hours of community service on Monday.
In a statement, First Judicial District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Brionna Boatright said prosecutors sought a sentence that included jail time because the actions involved were a significant public safety risk.
“The defendant was a law enforcement officer at the time of the offense and therefore understood, perhaps better than most, the dangers his actions created for himself, responding officers, and the public,” Boatright said.
“Ultimately, the Court determined that a sentence of probation was appropriate. We hope the defendant takes that opportunity seriously and fully appreciates the potential consequences his actions could have had for the community,” she continued.
Thomas, who was hired in 2021, is working on a non-patrol assignment until the Denver Police Department’s internal review is complete, spokesperson Sean Towle said.
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