Colo. man allegedly tried to run over students with his truck at high school track meet

HUERFANO COUNTY, Colo. (TCD) -- A parent was arrested this week for allegedly attempting to hit students with his car at a track meet and then trying to run over another person in a high school parking lot.

According to a statement, on Thursday, April 20, the Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office received information about a man in a red Chevrolet pickup truck "trying to run over students" during the track meet at the Huerfano School District’s RE-1 sports complex. While on their way, deputies learned the suspect, Jose Luis Mendez, moved to the John Mall High School parking lot.

As Huerfano County deputies cleared the parking lot, Sheriff Bruce Newman and Sgt. Roman Hijar located Mendez and arrested him. Other deputies canvassed the area for witnesses or victims and found a man who alleged Mendez "became verbally aggressive and then attempted to run the victim over but was unsuccessful during an argument."

The Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office confirmed firearms were not used during the alleged altercation.

In a Facebook post, the John Mall High School track coach said the incident "did not involve any students, staff, or volunteers" and was instead an altercation between Mendez and another adult.

Coach John Toplyn wrote, "This incident was not directed at any of the students at the track meet, it was specifically between two adults."

Toplyn said officials gave school officials the "green light" to continue with the track meet, but it was ultimately suspended because "many of the student volunteers running the meet were pulled out by their parents."

The Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office said they booked Mendez on "several charges," as well as outstanding warrants from other counties, but they did not elaborate on the exact charges.

MORE:

• School Track Meet Ends Due To Parent - Huerfano County Sheriff's Office
• Coach John Toplyn statement