CLIFTON, COLO. - On March 29, 2026, at approximately 7:45 p.m., a Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant observed a truck traveling at a high rate of speed near Front Street and 2nd Street in Clifton, Colo., causing the car to tip when turning a corner. The Sergeant caught up to the car shortly thereafter, before it came to a stop on the 3200 block of E ½ Road in Clifton, Colorado. The driver exited the vehicle and ran on foot, but was stopped a short distance later. The suspect was identified as Michael Johnson, 34, of Clifton, Colorado.

Deputies joined the Sergeant at the stop to aid in placing Johnson into custody as he was physically and verbally uncooperative. Upon searching Johnson’s vehicle, deputies located multiple opened and unopened alcohol containers. Small alcohol containers were also found during a search of Johnson before placing him into custody. Johnson continued to be physically and verbally aggressive during his arrest and transportation to the Mesa County Detention Facility.

Johnson was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Reckless Driving, Traffic Misdemeanor 2

• Obstructing a Peace Officer, Misdemeanor 2

• Resisting Arrest, Misdemeanor 2

• DUI - Drove Under the Influence, Misdemeanor 1

• Criminal mischief - $300-$1000, Misdemeanor 2

Later, at 10:15 p.m., a deputy located a motorcycle going approximately 100 plus miles per hour on F Road from 31 Road in Fruitvale, Colorado. The motorcycle turned its lights off in a bid to elude law enforcement. A second deputy attempted to stop the motorcycle, but the rider again attempted to elude. Deputies then saturated the area to locate the motorcycle, aided by the Palisade Police Department. Deputies located the motorcycle parked at a residence on the 900 Block of Iowa Avenue in Palidade. Deputies spoke with the residents of the home and identified David Morris, 21, of Palisade, as the driver of the motorcycle. 

Morris was placed into custody and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility, where he was booked in on the following charges:

• Vehicular Eluding, Felony 5

• Reckless Driving, Traffic Misdemeanor 2

• Drove on Suspended License, Traffic Misdemeanor 1

• No Insurance in Possession, Traffic Misdemeanor 1

• Vehicle Had No Plate Attached, Class B Traffic Infraction

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office would like to take this opportunity to remind drivers:

• Do NOT drive while under the influence of alcohol or substances.

• Speed limits are NOT a suggestion, they are the law.

• When you see our patrol vehicle lights, pull over and do NOT attempt to elude.