Grand Junction, Colo. — A Sunshine Rides driver was arrested and fired on Wednesday after allegedly assaulting a KKCO employee in a bias-motivated incident. The attack occurred in the afternoon and was quickly responded to by the Grand Junction Police Department (GJPD).
At around 2:20 p.m., police responded to reports of an assault in progress on the 2500 block of Blichmann Avenue. Officers arrived to find that the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Patrick Egan, had tackled and choked the victim. Several bystanders stepped in to help restrain Egan until the police arrived. The victim was evaluated by emergency personnel at the scene but did not require hospitalization.
The incident began earlier that day when the victim was driving from Delta to Grand Junction. According to police, Egan began following the victim in another vehicle. Near the intersection of U.S. Highway 6 and 50 and 25 Road, Egan allegedly asked the victim for his ID and questioned if he was an American citizen. Egan continued following the victim until they reached the KKCO location, where the assault took place.
Egan was arrested at the scene and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility. He faces several charges, including bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault, and harassment. The GJPD confirmed that this is being treated as an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Although the GJPD did not immediately release details about the suspect’s employer, WesternSlopeNow confirmed that Egan was a driver for Sunshine Rides. Following the arrest, Sunshine Rides issued a statement expressing deep disappointment in the driver’s actions. Operations Manager Eddie Calderon said, “We regret any harm that was done. The driver violated company policy, and his contract has been terminated.”
The company emphasized that the behavior displayed by the driver is not in line with its values and standards. Sunshine Rides has also stated that it takes this matter very seriously and is fully cooperating with authorities.
The Grand Junction Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident and encourages anyone who feels unsafe to contact law enforcement immediately. The department urged residents to reach out to 911 if they ever find themselves in a dangerous situation.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting others and addressing bias in all forms. The GJPD assured the public that this event does not reflect the safety of the community at large, and no further threats are expected.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victim and addressing the consequences of this unacceptable behavior. The victim’s identity has not been released, but authorities confirmed they were not seriously injured in the attack.
