Driver of stolen truck strikes vehicles during dangerous police chase, sends four to hospital
A 32-year-old man was arrested and is facing charges after leading police on a chase through northeast Edmonton in a stolen truck on Sunday.
Four people were hospitalized, including two police officers. Several vehicles were damaged in the process.
Around 7:20 p.m. police responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle in the Evergreen Trailer Park. When police tried to speak to the driver, he allegedly fled the scene and struck a police vehicle.
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Edmonton police pursued the vehicle, a truck with a flatbed trailer, into a residential neighbourhood.
Robert Knapp, who lives in the area, saw the police chase. He parked his truck in the middle of the road in hopes of stopping the stolen truck.
“I knew there was kids in the neighbourhood so I decided to take my big truck and try to stop this carnage from continuing,” he said. “Unfortunately, he did not stop. He went around my truck. It was a disaster, it was unexpected, there were vehicles and pieces strewn everywhere.”
Police were able to successfully stop the stolen truck around 66 Street and 118 Avenue. The suspect then got out of the truck and attempted to steal an SUV that was at the intersection.
“I reached to lock my car, my windows were fortunately up,” recounted Katy Mackay, the driver of the SUV. “And in my moment of panic I unlocked the car. So I relocked it and just as I relocked it, he reached for my driver’s door handle and tried to open the door. And when he couldn’t get in, he took his fist and struck my window, but it didn’t break so I’m happy about that.”
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Police then arrested the man of the stolen truck and took him into custody.
Map of Edmonton police chase on April 3, 2022.
Two civilians and two responding officers were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Multiple vehicles were struck during the incident.
Detectives are continuing to investigate and say speed and impairment are considered factors in this incident.
The man is facing several charges including flight from peace officer, assault of a police officer with a weapon, failing to stop after an accident, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle and possession of stolen property over $5,000.
Edmonton police are asking anyone with dash camera, doorbell, or home security video footage of the incident to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567.
