Wanted northern Ont. man crashed, fled then located by K9 unit

UCCM Anisnaabe Police have announced their first canine unit on Manitoulin Island – Const. Nick Beaudry and police service dog 'Ben.'

A 38-year-old man from Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Township is facing multiple charges following a single-vehicle collision and a police pursuit in Espanola early Friday morning.

Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) Manitoulin detachment responded to a report of an unwanted person at a residence in Espanola shortly after 2 a.m. on Feb. 28. Police also confirmed the same individual was wanted on an outstanding warrant.

“When police arrived on scene, they observed a vehicle leave the address at a high rate of speed,” the OPP said in a news release.

Police said the vehicle failed to stop for officers as it fled.

OPP winter An Ontario Provincial Police vehicle is seen in a snowy landscape in this undated image. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police)

A short time later, police discovered the same vehicle involved in a single-vehicle collision on Highway 6. The driver had fled the scene on foot after the vehicle ended up in a ditch.

Const. Nick Beaudry and his police service dog 'Ben.' Pictured are UCCM Const. Nick Beaudry and his police service dog 'Ben.' (UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service/Facebook)

With the assistance of the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Police Service Commission’s (UCCM) canine unit, the driver was located and subsequently arrested.

“The driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” said police.

The accused has been charged with flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, impaired driving, driving without a licence, failing to remain at the scene of a collision and not wearing a seatbelt. He appeared in court in Sudbury on Feb. 28 and remains in custody.