Eastbound motorists on Highway 17 had to take evasive action when the driver of a stolen vehicle approached them at high speed on Sunday afternoon.
But according to an OPP news release, the only reported injury was to the driver they had been pursuing since he allegedly stole some fuel from a gas station at Marathon.
The 33-year-old resident of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries after he swerved to avoid a spike belt and an OPP cruiser on the Ruby Creek bridge east of Nipigon.
The SUV entered the ditch and travelled about 200 metres before landing in the creek with what police described as severe damage.
The driver was released from hospital and arrested on several charges including possession of stolen property, theft, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and flight from police.
OPP said that after the initial report of the gas theft in Marathon, they observed the suspect vehicle travelling west at high speeds, but did not attempt to stop it because of concern for public safety.
Nonetheless, police received multiple complaints about the operator's aggressive and erratic driving as it continued westbound, "forcing motorists to the shoulders of the highway or ditches in order to avoid a head-on collision."
