Grand Junction woman arrested after a chase

Paige Willis, 20
MCSO  Photo 1-29-19

MESA COUNTY, Colo – At approximately 9:30 Monday night deputies responded to a residence in the Candlewood Trailer Park for a report of a harassment in progress. The reporting party advised a woman was following them in what was determined to be a stolen vehicle.

The woman and driver of the vehicle was identified as 20-year-old Paige Willis. Willis had active warrants out for her arrest and had eluded Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies and Colorado State Patrol troopers as recently as Sunday evening. Willis also is involved in an active felony stalking case in which the victim resided at the same address as where deputies responded to Monday night.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop on the stolen grey sedan at the north entrance of Candlewood Trailer Park off D ¼ Road. The vehicle did not stop, and continued traveling northbound onto 32 Road at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was observed driving through stop signs, sliding into the center median, and driving head-on into opposing traffic, forcing other vehicles to swerve to get out of the way. Deputies terminated the pursuit.

I70B and 32 Road

At approximately 10:15 p.m., deputies located the stolen car driving in the Candlewood Trailer Park. Deputies performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention to stop the vehicle, but Willis continued driving, turning northbound on 32 Road and accelerating to a high rate of speed with a blatant disregard for public safety. Willis then swerved over into on-coming traffic driving directly at an approaching patrol car. With evasive action, the deputy was able to avoid the collision. Willis then drove towards a deputy on foot preparing to deploy Stop Sticks, forcing the deputy to run out of the way.

At the intersection of 32 Road and I-70B, deputies used a blocking technique to pin the vehicle to end the ongoing threat to public safety. Willis continued to ram the vehicle she was driving into patrol cars and at deputies. Deputies deployed less lethal munitions and a Taser. Willis was taken into custody. Willis was transported to the hospital to be medically cleared before being transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility.

Willis facing the following charges:

• 8 counts of Assault in the 1st Degree on a Peace Office Threaten with Deadly Weapon (Class 3 Felony)
• 2 counts of Vehicular Eluding (Class 5 Felony)
• 2 counts Reckless Driving
• 2 counts Careless Driving
• 1st Degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft Uses Vehicle in Commission of a Crime (Class 4 Felony)
• Speeding over 40 MPH or More Over
• Resisting Arrest (Class 2 Misdemeanor)
• Driving Under Revocation
• Failed to Obey a Traffic Control Signal
• Failure to Appear Warrant (Muni)

Eastbound I-70B was closed for about two hours as a result of the incident. It was opened just after midnight. No injuries to civilians or deputies were reported.

This case is still under investigation. Additional charges related to this incident are still under review.

If anyone has video of the incident or information regarding this crime please contact the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 242-6707. You can also email us at PIO.Sheriff@mesacounty.us.