Texas motorcyclist goes 170 mph from Colorado Springs to Denver in 20 minutes, video shows

Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman

Rendon Dietzmann, a 32-year-old Texas man, posted a video of himself weaving his motorcycle in and out of traffic at up to 173 miles per hour. The video was posted to YouTube on Sept. 28 under his online alias, Gixxer Brah, but has since been taken down.

A few months after Dietzmann posted the incriminating video to YouTube, the Colorado State Patrol issued a warrant for his arrest. But Colorado law enforcement probably won’t catch up to him.

The viral video earned Dietzmann seven counts, which include:

  • Menacing – placed another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury

  • Engaged in a speed contest

  • Reckless endangerment

  • Reckless driving

  • Speeding 40 mph over prima facie limit

  • Engaged in exhibition of speed

  • Vehicle had no number plates attached

Despite the seriousness of the charges, they do not justify extradition from Texas to Colorado. Dietzmann, who lives in Justin, TX, according to CBS News, can avoid arrest as long as he doesn’t return to Colorado.

“This is an extreme example, but sadly a real one,” Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Troy Kessler said in a press release. “If you drive like this, you can expect to be arrested when you are located. This is the best outcome for a person who drives violently since the smallest mistake could result in his death or that of an innocent person in the area.”

How long is the drive from Colorado Springs to Denver?

The 70-mile route is estimated to take 70 minutes by car. Video shows Dietsmann traveling northbound on Interstate 25, making the drive in about 20 minutes.

Dietzmann is far from the first driver to exhibit reckless behavior on I-25. The Colorado Department of Transportation completed the I-25 South Gap Project in 2022, which focused on an 18-mile stretch from Castle Rock to Monument. This implemented changes aimed to make the road safer, such as by adding wider shoulders and creating an express lane. The speed limit was reduced from 60 miles per hour to 55.

What is the highest speed limit in Colorado?

Colorado ranks fifth in the United States for its highest maximum speed of 75 miles per hour, which applies to rural freeways. “Rural freeways” are defined as “the sections of major highways that pass through rural and sparsely populated areas, and can safely allow faster driving.”

Among the 50 states, Colorado ranked 47th for the highest percentage of rural interstate mileage in poor conditions, according to a 2018 Annual Highway Report.

What is the 5-car rule in Colorado?

A Colorado law states that a slow-moving vehicle must pull off a two-lane highway if passing is unsafe and there are five or more cars close behind.

The law doesn’t use speed limits to define a “slow-moving vehicle.” Instead, a vehicle can be determined to be slow-moving if it doesn’t match the pace of surrounding vehicles. Section 12.3 of the Colorado Driver Handbook explains, “Driving considerably slower than other vehicles can be just as bad as speeding.”

What's the highest speed limit in Texas?

Texas has the highest speed limit among all 50 states. A 41-mile stretch of Texas 130 has a posted speed limit of 85 miles per hour. The state highway advertises itself as a “fast and reliable alternative to congested I-35 through Central Texas.”

Despite the efficiency of Texas 130 and the business it brings to Austin, it has also been the site of many traffic accidents. The high speeds and recent winter weather create even more risk, as the new year has already seen a number of crashes.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas man goes 170 mph on Colorado highway, uploads video to YouTube

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