On Sunday evening just after 11:00 p.m. an Owen Sound police officer patrolling in the area of the 100 block of 8th Street East observed a motorist drive over the curb while making a turn onto 1st Avenue East then sped off at a high rate of speed. Concerned about the driver’s sobriety the officer followed the vehicle and attempted to stop the driver as the vehicle was approaching the entrance to Harrison Park. When the officer activated his cruisers emergency lighting to initiate the stop, the driver of the 1997 Honda Civic accelerated away travelling south bound on 2nd Avenue East at a very high rate of speed. Due to the driver’s recklessness and considering the public’s safety, the officer discontinued his efforts to stop the vehicle.

Soon after, police discovered that the driver had lost control of his vehicle by Greenwood Cemetery. The vehicle received extensive damage. The 21-year-old driver and his 17-year -old passenger walked away from the vehicle with only minor injuries. Both parties were taken to hospital by EMS at which time they were treated and later released. Fortunately, no other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

There was no reasonable explanation as to why the driver did not stop for the officer. The driver’s actions put not only his and his passenger’s life at risk, but the general public’s as well. The driver who resides in Owen Sound now faces a list of charges both criminally and under the Highway Traffic Act. His charges will be heard by the Owen Sound Court of Justice on November 5th, 2020.

source: media release, Owen Sound Police