THORNTON, Colo. -- A teenager who died in a head-on crash during a high-speed police chase was described by his friends and family as good, quiet and loyal.

Brandon Magnusson, 14, of Thornton, died when the pickup truck he was in was hit by a green Chrysler Concord being chased by Commerce City police.

The accident happened around dusk Thursday at 112th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Thornton.

Magnusson's mother, Julie Ann Bailey, 46, was driving the car and was listed in critical condition at Denver Health Medical Center.

Police officers said they began chasing Raymond Juhl, 22, on Highway 2 in Commerce City after they spotted him speeding, weaving in and out of traffic and driving on the wrong side of the road.

"While attempting to pass an RTD bus and another vehicle, the suspect vehicle entered the southbound traffic lane and almost ran head-on into a marked Commerce City police patrol vehicle," said Commerce City spokesman Chris Collins.

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Passenger In Car That Led High Speed Police Chase Talks

At two points during the pursuit, Juhl tried to ram the patrol cars, forcing officers to drive off the road, Collins said.

Police defended the high-speed chase by saying that Juhl failed to respond to sirens and overhead lights and continued to drive recklessly -- cutting off other vehicles and endangering the safety of the public. At several points during the pursuit, officers attempted to stop the vehicle by deploying stop sticks but were unable to do so because the suspect's car was traveling too fast and evading officers' attempts, Collins said.

The chase wound its way north from Commerce City into Adams County and then into Thornton. Officers from several jurisdictions including the Colorado State Patrol, were involved in the pursuit.

The CSP said the chase reached speeds of 100 mph before Juhl crossed the double-yellow center line and slammed into Magnusson and his mother's black Ford Ranger pickup truck, causing it to flip.

Juhl's brother arrived at the crash scene a short time later and said he could not explain his brother's actions.

"We hang out all the time and then just recently, we stopped hanging out. So, I don't know what's going on with him, what he's doing in his life," said the suspect's brother, Daniel Juhl. "He was acting a little bit funny, so I don't know what's going on."

Police said they recovered methamphetamine from Juhl's car and there was a warrant out for his arrest in Denver. He was also hospitalized with injuries.

According to the Colorado courts database, Juhl had been charged with careless driving resulting in injury or death from an accident that occurred on April 18. The case was dismissed on July 17 by the Adams County district attorney.

A passenger in Juhl's car, identified as Jamie Walden, 18, of Thornton, was not injured and may face charges of vehicular homicide. She told 7NEWS that she tried to plead with her friend to pull over.

"I feel bad for her son. I can't stop thinking about him," Walden said. "I don't want to get charged for anything because I didn't do nothing wrong. Just wrong place, wrong time, wrong friend."

Juhl was taken to St. Anthony Central and is being held pending charges.