North Bay Police have charged an Ottawa man with dangerous driving and assault after they were forced to use a spike belt Saturday to stop a drunk driver.
It happened at 6:50 p.m. Witnesses saw a man displaying visible signs of impairment, driving a vehicle and going into a grocery store on Lakeshore Drive. Police were called.
On arrival, officers saw the man sitting in the vehicle. He then fled "at a high rate of speed" as officers approached him says a news release.
Police say the man fled along Marshall Avenue, striking three parked vehicles and a large mailbox, causing significant damage to each.
Officers saw the vehicle on Booth Road and followed it back to Lakeshore Drive.
"The accused was observed to be driving erratically," says police spokesman David Woolley. "Members of the North Bay Police Service deployed tire deflation devices (also known as “spike strips,”) along Lakeshore Drive in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The accused avoided the initial deployment of these devices but a second deployment on Lakeshore Drive was successful."
During that second deployment, an officer narrowly avoided being hit by the vehicle.
Despite the damage to the tires of the vehicle, the man refused to stop and drove into oncoming traffic along Pinewood Park Drive.
Near Cranberry Road, Callander, the vehicle struck a snowbank, and was surrounded by officers.
"As the accused attempted to free the stuck vehicle, he collided with a police vehicle," added Woolley. "During the arrest, the man assaulted the officers and he was eventually safely taken into custody. Several empty beer cans were located in the vehicle."
The licence plates were linked to a stolen vehicle in the Ottawa area.
Woolley says the man and officers sustained minor injuries.
Kyle Allinott, 28, of Ottawa is charged with:
- Assault with intent to resist arrest
- Assault a peace officer with a weapon
- Flight from a peace officer
- Dangerous operation
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Fail to comply with a probation order
- Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code
- Failure to stop after an accident
Allinot is currently in custody pending a bail hearing at the North Bay Courthouse.
The investigation was a joint effort by the North Bay Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police.