Colorado man sentenced to five years after 100 mph chase ends under porch

Zakary Dean Hirschfield, 24, will spend five years in prison after a January high-speed chase in Douglas County ended with deputies finding him hiding under a porch in his underwear. Hirschfield, who lives in Centennial, entered a guilty plea to felony eluding of a peace officer, according to authorities. The sentence caps a sequence of events that began with a routine traffic stop and escalated into a multi-hour search involving dozens of law enforcement officers.

The incident started when a sheriff's deputy pulled Hirschfield over for speeding in Castle Pines. Video released by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office shows the deputy standing beside the car before Hirschfield suddenly accelerated. The deputy had to jump clear to avoid being hit. A female passenger in the vehicle screamed as the car sped away. Over the radio, the deputy reported that the driver attempted to strike him.

Hirschfield then drove through Highlands Ranch and Littleton at speeds exceeding 100 mph. He crossed medians and traveled against traffic before colliding with another vehicle. His passenger later told deputies she begged him to stop repeatedly. Hirschfield left her at the scene of the crash and ran on foot. A search of the wrecked car revealed cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Dozens of deputies, specialized units, and aerial resources joined the manhunt. Drones and a K9 team tracked Hirschfield through a Littleton neighborhood. Approximately one hour after the initial traffic stop, officers located him beneath a raised wooden porch. Body camera footage shows deputies using flashlights to locate the shirtless man. One officer ordered him to put his hands behind his back before they restrained him on the ground.

Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said the chase demonstrated the consequences of fleeing from officers. "Don't run from our deputies. We will catch you and hold you accountable," Weekly stated. He noted that Hirschfield is now headed to prison and that putting deputies and the public at risk will not be tolerated in the county.

District Attorney George Brauchler argued that Hirschfield should have already been in custody before the chase began. Brauchler pointed to previous decisions by other law enforcement agencies that allowed Hirschfield to remain free. "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.

Prosecutors detailed Hirschfield's legal history in the months prior to the incident. In November 2024, an Arapahoe County judge granted him probation and community service after he pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of fentanyl. His probation was revoked less than three months later, but he was placed back on probation in June 2025. On August 19, 2025, a motion to revoke his probation was filed. That same day, he was released without cash bail in Jefferson County on a new felony robbery charge.

Deputy District Attorney Zach Idris said Hirschfield put countless lives at risk that evening. Idris added that Hirschfield will now have time in the Department of Corrections to reflect on his reckless actions. Brauchler closed his remarks with a warning to future offenders. "Commit your crimes somewhere more forgiving, or heck, maybe don't commit them at all," Brauchler said.