SOUTH GLENGARRY — A traffic stop on Highway 401 turned into a police pursuit and foot chase when a pulled-over vehicle suddenly took off from the shoulder of the road and quickly crashed into a ditch.
The unlicensed motorist was originally stopped for speeding shortly after noon on Sept. 10. As the intercepting SD&G OPP officer completed required documents, the vehicle fled the scene in an erratic manner, according to the local police force, crashing into an off-ramp ditch “a short distance away.”
Constable Joel Doiron clarified for Nation Valley News that the fleeing motorist drove dangerously and at “high speeds” over a distance of “a few kilometers” before leaving the roadway.
Police seized a quantity of marijuana from the ditched vehicle that also bore a stolen licence plate.
Two men from Lachine, Que., are charged in connection with the incident.
The driver, Christopher Oxley-Andric, is charged with: Personation with Intent to Avoid Arrest (gave false identification); Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle; Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer; Obstruct Peace Officer; Resist Peace Officer; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (licence plate on vehicle stolen); Possession of a Controlled Substance; Race a Motor Vehicle – Excessive Speed (Highway Traffic Act); Fail to Remain (HTA); and Drive Motor Vehicle – No Licence (HTA).
The 48-year-old male passenger, David Rickard, is charged with: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (licence plate on vehicle stolen); Obstruct Peace Officer; and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Both accused were held in custody pending a bail appearance at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall.
This article was edited to include Constable Joel Doiron’s clarification on the distance travelled by the fleeing vehicle.
