Impaired driver runs from police

A Pickering man is facing several charges after a police chase through Oshawa.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17, an officer noticed a vehicle weaving on the roadway on Baldwin Street, just south of Taylor Avenue in Oshawa. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, it stopped briefly before accelerating north on Baldwin, turning on to Guelph Street before running a stop sign at Olive Street. Police stopped the chase due to safety concerns.

A short time later, the same vehicle was seen heading west on Taunton Road near Ritson Road. Officers followed the vehicle north on Mary Street, going through several side streets until it hit the front of a police cruiser on Ormond Street.

However, the vehicle still didn’t stop, continuing to travel through the side streets towards Ritson, where the pursuit was again called off.

Soon after, the vehicle was found in a ditch, with police saying the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a guardrail. The driver was taken to hospital, where he was medically cleared.

A 31-year-old male of Brookridge Gate in Pickering has been charged with two counts of failing to stop for police, and one count each of failing to remain, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and exceeding a 0.08 per cent blood alcohol content.