Cheyenne Man Says SUV Tried to Cut Him Off So He Did PIT Maneuver

A 25-year-old Cheyenne man is facing a handful of charges following a suspected DUI crash in northeast Cheyenne Friday night.

According to arrest records, police were called to the scene at North College Drive and Carla Drive around 10:30 p.m. and arrived to find a red Dodge Ram and a silver Nissan Pathfinder with extensive damage.

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Police say the vehicles collided with three power poles estimated to cost approximately $30,000, a power box estimated to cost approximately $5,000, one property's fence estimated to cost approximately $5,000, and another property's fence and shed estimated to cost approximately $15,000, resulting in power outages in the area.

Police say the driver of the pickup, Noel Gomez, had alcohol on his breath, poor balance, slurred speech, and glassy eyes, and told them that the driver of the SUV had tried to cut him off.

Police say Gomez's vehicle registration expired in April 2023, he had a THC vape pen in his pocket, and there was an open container of alcohol in his pickup.

Gomez was run through the three standard field sobriety tests, which police say indicated a blood alcohol concentration of more than .08%, and handcuffed and taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center for medical clearance and a blood draw.

'I Wasn't Gonna Let Him Cut Me Off'

Police say later at the hospital, Gomez said, "Someone tried to cut me off and I wasn't gonna stop, like the thing cops do," and then began to explain a PIT maneuver.

Gomez then reportedly said, "I wasn't gonna let him cut me off."

Police say Gomez told them he was going approximately 50 to 55 mph in a 40 mph zone when he intentionally collided with the SUV.

Police say the driver of the SUV was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery and then taken to Colorado for additional surgery.

"I don't have any updated information to provide at this time," Public Information Officer Alex Farkas told KGAB Radio Tuesday afternoon.

Gomez Facing 2 Felony Charges

Farkas says Gomez was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center around 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 18.

Gomez was later charged with aggravated assault, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and felony property destruction, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

Gomez was also charged with DUI, possession of marijuana, and expired or improper registration, all misdemeanors.

Gomez made his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning, during which his total bond was set at $6,000 cash and his preliminary hearing was set for May 29 at 2:30 p.m.