Man charged with fleeing police and driving dangerously in Oshawa

A Toronto man is facing a slew of charges following an alleged dangerous driving incident in Oshawa.

Durham police say that around 8 a.m. on July 16, officers initiated a traffic stop in the Coldstream Drive and Ritson Road area after allegedly observing an Acura sedan operating in “an unsafe manner.”

According to police, the suspect vehicle failed to stop and fled from police.

Police allege that while fleeing from police, the driver lost control and struck two parked vehicles that were unoccupied at the time of the collisions.

Police also allege that the driver then attempted to flee the vehicle on foot.

He was eventually taken into custody.

Police say that 21-year-0ld Toronto man Israel Barnes is facing a number of charges, including dangerous operation of a vehicle, stunt driving, fleeing from a peace officer, disobeying a stop sign, and driving a vehicle with an improper licence.

He was released on an undertaking.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

In Ontario, stunt driving charges can be laid if a driver is believed to have driven 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit, driven in a manner that prevents other drivers from passing, intentionally cut off other vehicles or driven too close, intentionally, to other cars, pedestrians or fixed objects.

Stunt driving charges can prompt an immediate 30-day driver’s licence suspension, as well as the immediate 14-day impoundment of the vehicle involved in the incident. Fines of $2,000 to $10,000 can also apply.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Cst. Walker of the Community Resource Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1608.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.