A routine traffic stop in Colorado escalated into a high-speed pursuit and an overnight manhunt after a repeat offender allegedly drove toward a deputy, according to prosecutors.
Zakary Dean Hirschfield, 24, of Centennial, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to felony eluding of a peace officer stemming from the January chase in Douglas County.
Newly released video from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office shows the nighttime traffic stop, the dangerous pursuit and the moment deputies located Hirschfield and arrested him.
Zakary Dean Hirschfield pulls away during a traffic stop in Castle Pines, Colorado. Authorities say he drove toward a deputy, who had to jump aside to avoid being struck. (23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
District Attorney George Brauchler said Hirschfield might have been behind bars before the incident if earlier opportunities to detain him had been acted upon.
“This case highlights the ripple effects of decisions made by other law enforcement agencies who had opportunities to lock this guy up before this dangerous episode,” Brauchler said.
The incident began when a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy stopped Hirschfield for speeding in Castle Pines. Authorities said Hirschfield then suddenly accelerated toward the deputy, who jumped out of the vehicle’s path.
In the traffic-stop video, the deputy stands beside the car before it abruptly surges forward and races away down a residential road.
The deputy reports over the radio that the driver tried to hit him. Authorities said Hirschfield’s female passenger screamed as he sped away.
The driver allegedly reached speeds above 100 mph while traveling through Highlands Ranch and Littleton. Investigators said he crossed medians, drove into oncoming traffic and eventually crashed into another vehicle.
Pursuit footage shows deputies following the fleeing vehicle through roads carrying nighttime traffic, with emergency lights flashing as they passed other motorists.
According to authorities, the passenger repeatedly pleaded with Hirschfield to stop. He instead left her behind along with the damaged vehicle and fled on foot.
Thermal drone footage shows authorities searching for Zakary Dean Hirschfield after he fled from a crashed vehicle in Littleton, Colorado. (23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
Dozens of deputies, specialized teams and aircraft joined the search. A drone and a K9 tracked Hirschfield through a Littleton neighborhood.
The thermal footage shows a figure moving through trees and brush as the aerial camera follows from above.
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Deputies arrest Zakary Dean Hirschfield after authorities say they found him hiding beneath a porch in his underwear following the Colorado pursuit. (23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
Roughly an hour after the traffic stop, deputies found Hirschfield hiding beneath a porch and wearing only underwear, authorities said. Body camera footage shows officers shining flashlights beneath the raised structure before pulling the shirtless suspect out and securing him on the ground.
“Put your hands behind your back, behind your back,” a deputy can be heard ordering as officers take him into custody.
Authorities said a search of Hirschfield’s vehicle uncovered cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
“Don’t run from our deputies. We will catch you and hold you accountable,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said. “This defendant learned that the hard way and is now headed to prison. Putting our deputies and the public at risk will not be tolerated in Douglas County.”
Brauchler said the pursuit came after a series of previous court decisions that allowed Hirschfield to remain out of custody.
Zakary Dean Hirschfield, 24, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to felony eluding in connection with a January pursuit through Douglas County. (23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
Prosecutors said an Arapahoe County judge sentenced Hirschfield to probation and community service in November 2024 after he pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of fentanyl under a plea agreement.
His probation was revoked less than three months later, but he was placed back on probation in June 2025.
On Aug. 19, 2025, prosecutors filed another motion seeking to revoke his probation. That same day, Hirschfield was released without posting cash bail in Jefferson County on a new felony robbery case, authorities said.
Five months later, he was involved in the high-speed pursuit through Douglas County.
“This defendant put countless lives at risk that evening,” Deputy District Attorney Zach Idris said. “Thanks to the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office, Hirschfield will now spend several years in the Department of Corrections, where he will have plenty of time to think about his reckless actions that put him there.”
Brauchler ended with a pointed message.
“Commit your crimes somewhere more forgiving, or heck, maybe don’t commit them at all.”
