Driver stopped by spike belt and arrested after fleeing from police along Highway 26

The scene of a crash involving a police cruiser in Barrie, Ont., on Fri., May 15, 2026. (Source: Barrie Police Service/Supplied)

A young man is facing several charges after allegedly trying to flee from police in Springwater Township and Barrie on Friday afternoon.

According to Huronia West OPP, officers began an investigation just after 3 p.m. on Highway 26, when a suspect vehicle, a white pickup truck, failed to stop for police.

The detachment says a spike belt was deployed, damaging the vehicle, and it was later found in a parking lot on Bayfield Street, the continuation of Highway 26 in Barrie.

Barrie police helped the OPP arrest the driver, a 23-year-old from Peterborough.

He was charged with dangerous operation, flight from a peace officer, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a probation order.

The accused was held pending a Saturday bail hearing.

Crash involving police cruiser

Around the same time, there was a multi-vehicle collision on Bayfield Street around Livingstone Street involving a police cruiser.

According to Barrie police, officers were ‘responding to a call’ when the crash happened.

A woman was hospitalized with what was described as ‘minor’ injuries and one officer hurt, but police say they did not require medical attention.

Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

The circumstance of the crash in relation to the pursuit of the white pickup truck and Peterborough driver remains unclear.