Brampton man charged with attempted murder after OPP chase

An undated police photo of an Ontario Provincial Police officer taking a suspect in handcuffs into custody. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

A 41-year-old Brampton man faces multiple criminal charges, including four counts of attempted murder, after a police pursuit along Highway 11-17 last week that ended with the driver striking several police vehicles near Raith, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police said officers first noticed a stopped sprinter van along Highway 11-17 near Highway 527 shortly before 10 a.m.

Traffic stop turns into flight

“After a brief conversation with the driver, officers became suspicious and initiated a traffic stop,” the OPP said in a news release.

“The driver remained for a short period of time before fleeing from officers.”

Police said additional officers located the vehicle further west of Highway 11-17, but it failed to stop. Then, at about 11 a.m., near Raith, multiple police vehicles conducted a traffic stop on the van.

Vehicles struck during arrest

“The van was ultimately stopped, though the driver intentionally struck and damaged three police vehicles,” police said.

During the arrest, officers deployed a conducted energy weapon, as the individual repeatedly resisted arrest and was attempting to ignite the vehicle.

“The individual was successfully arrested without major incident or significant injury to anyone involved,” OPP said.

Provincial police said several officers received minor injuries that did not require medical attention, while the accused was treated for minor injuries.

Numerous charges laid

As a result, the driver was charged with four counts of attempted murder, three counts of assaulting a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, two counts of flight from police, resisting a peace officer, driving while under suspension, impaired driving, two counts of drug possession and three counts of mischief.

In addition to the criminal charges, the man was also charged with 10 other offences under the Highway Traffic Act, Dangerous Goods Transportation Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act – including operating an unsafe vehicle and driving with an insecure load.

The accused was held in custody pending a court appearance on June 15.

Public safety reminder

OPP said officers are committed to safety for all who use Ontario’s roadways and used the incident as a reminder to the public to report impaired or dangerous driving.

“If you have an urgent traffic complaint or if you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol, please call 911 immediately.”