A man found dead Friday in Fountain Creek had eluded police in the same vicinity after he crashed his pickup into a pole two months earlier.

But police don’t know if the man, identified Monday as Fountain resident Nathaniel Ryan Vialpando, 27, died immediately after the police pursuit the night of Dec. 2.

“The time, manner and cause of death are pending autopsy and toxicology results,” police said. “The investigation is ongoing.”

Police tried to stop Vialpando about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in the area of Charter Oak Ranch Road after a report of a suspicious person at the Tomahawk Truck Stop, 1103 S. Santa Fe Ave.

Vialpando eluded officers by heading north on Charter Oak Ranch Road and then driving into a field. Police said Vialpando crashed his white 1993 GMC pickup into a pole in the field and fled.

Officers searched the area near Bandley Drive and Interstate 25 but didn’t find Vialpando. Police issued a warrant for his arrest the next day but didn’t see him again.

On Friday, a man walking a dog near Fountain Creek found Vialpando’s body submerged in the water in the same general area.

Police have said that Vialpando’s body had snow and ice and appeared to have been in the water for “some time.” There were no obvious signs of trauma on the body, police said.

Fountain police are asking anyone with information to call investigators at (719) 382-8555. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-7867.

Photo by