Update: Barrie police released more information about the investigation on Thursday. A 41-year-old Brampton man has been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while prohibited, failure to comply with a probation order, and taking a motor vehicle without consent. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice located in Barrie on June 29, 2022.
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Heavy police activity in the area of Ferndale Drive and Ardagh Road this morning has led to the arrest of an allegedly impaired dump-truck driver who fled from officers.
Barrie police received a call at 8:26 a.m., Wednesday, regarding a suspected impaired driver behind the wheel of a dump truck.
Police communications coordinator Peter Leon said that the driver was coming into the city's west end on Dunlop Street and was pulled over by an officer.
“The officer had some conversation with the driver when the driver then decided to take off,” Leon said. “Although we did follow the vehicle a short distance, the vehicle was located on Archer Street, abandoned.”
Leon said officers had stopped following the driver after he fled due to safety concerns based on the manner he was driving. A perimeter was set up in the area to which he was headed.
“In the interest of public safety, we felt we did not need to continue following the truck. We knew who we were dealing with and certainly knew the vehicle and we were able to bring officers into the area to assist,” said Leon.
Police called in the canine unit, which eventually tracked the suspect to a green space between Elizabeth Street and Patterson Road where he was taken into custody.
The investigation is continuing at police headquarters.
Leon confirmed a 33-year-old Peel Region man is in custody on charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police.
“We are also in the process right now of having him interviewed by a drug recognition evaluator to determine what exactly he is possibly impaired with,” Leon added. “We are looking at impaired driving charges as well.”
