BONNYVILLE – A joint Impaired Driving Check Stop Operation between the St. Paul Traffic Services and Bonnyville RCMP carried out on July 14, had officers in pursuit of a suspect that fled from police.
On Friday evening, RCMP were conducting impairment checks at Highway 41 and Highway 28, when a Ford Escape, displaying an unauthorized Alberta licence plate entered the check stop. The driver allegedly failed to produce a licence and gave officers a false name, according to information provided by RCMP.
Police advised the driver that he was going to be detained, at which point the driver was directed to turn off the engine of the vehicle, but allegedly refused to do so.
“A member reached into the open driver's window in an attempt to remove the keys from the ignition, but the driver accelerated, catching the member's arm partially inside the vehicle, and pulled the member forward with the momentum of the vehicle,” states RCMP. “The member fell onto his side onto the ground as the vehicle sped off.”
RCMP members pursued the suspect vehicle with the assistance of Police Dog Services.
While the RCMP member was not injured, the suspect reportedly led RCMP through a farmer’s crop during the pursuit, causing thousands of dollars of damage.
The police were successful in the immediate apprehension of a female passenger. However, the male driver fled on foot and was located and arrested approximately eight hours later.
Bail hearings were held for 31-year-old Landon Wusyk of Stony Plain, who was charged with 16 offences. The other occupant of the vehicle, 22-year-old Tiara Marten of Cold Lake, is facing charges in relation to eight offences.
Wusyk and Marten were both remanded into custody until their first court appearance on July 18, at which time their legal matters were adjourned to Aug. 1.
