Skip to content

Wild police chase on Hwy 17 leads to 28 charges for Sudbury man

Man suspected of hauling illegal drugs led police on a chase during the evening of Jan. 17, fleeing a traffic stop and ramming a cruiser before a spike belt brought the chase to an end
240124_opp_cruiser_winter

A Sudbury man is facing 28 charges after leading police on a wild chase on Highway 17 on Jan. 17.

The incident, which began in Baldwin Township (McKerrow) at 8:30 p.m. that evening, involved a high-speed chase, driving on the wrong side of the road, ramming a police cruiser and the deployment of a spike belt to end the chase finally.

Things began when a vehicle triggered the Automated Licence Plate Recognition of a patrolling Manitoulin Detachment Ontario Provincial Police cruiser.

“When police attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled at a high rate of speed,” the OPP said in a news release.

Police searched for the vehicle and eventually located it driving in Whitefish River First Nation territory. OPP attempted to stop the vehicle again, but it rammed a Sudbury detachment OPP cruiser and fled again.

“Shortly after, a traffic complaint came in about the same vehicle driving dangerously down the wrong side of the highway,” OPP said.

Officers located the vehicle again, still on Highway 17, but this time used a spike belt (or tire deflation device) to bring the vehicle to a stop for once and for all.

“During attempts to stop the vehicle, the driver intentionally collided with an OPP cruiser,” the release states. “The vehicle was eventually brought to a stop safely, and the driver was arrested.”

In searching the vehicle, police said they located suspected fentanyl, suspected cocaine, suspected crack cocaine and approximately $350 of Canadian currency.

A 41-year-old Sudbury man is facing 28 charges:

  • Resist peace officer
  • Escape lawful custody
  • Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court
  • Assault a peace officer - six counts
  • Assault a peace officer with a weapon - two counts
  • Dangerous operation
  • Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
  • Flight from peace officer - two counts
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
  • Mischief
  • Mischief under $5,000 - three counts
  • Failure to comply with probation order
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid
  • Entire plate not plainly visible
  • Drive wrong way - divided highway
  • Drive motor vehicle - perform stunt - excessive speed
  • Possess more than one licence
  • Drive without proper headlights

The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Sudbury on Jan. 18.