A 26-year-old Federal Heights man is dead after driving off the road and into Clear Creek when a State Patrol trooper tried to pull him over.

The victim, John F. Slumski, was ejected as his Jeep Cherokee landed on ice in the middle of Clear Creek, said patrol spokesman David Hall.

A trooper tried to pull Slumski over around 11:23 p.m. Saturday because he was weaving, Hall said.

He fled from the trooper on U.S. Highway 6 and went off the road after a brief chase, Hall said.

The vehicle rolled once after going off an embankment west of Golden, he said.

The patrol issued a release stating alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor.

Reckless driving and road conditions likely played a part in the crash, the release stated, but there was no contact between the fleeing vehicle and the State Patrol vehicle. Speeds for the pursuit were in the 40s, the release stated.

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