The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged a driver with multiple offences following an initial report from a member of the public.
On August 13, 2024, at approximately 4:45 p.m., police responded to a report a vehicle involved in a collision on Johnston Road in the Municipality of Trent Hills. The caller advised that the driver was walking away from their vehicle.
Officers patrolled the area and located the described individual at a nearby address.
The person then got into another vehicle they had access to and reversed into a police cruiser causing minimal damage. The driver then evaded officers who were attempting to stop the vehicle before driving dangerously away from the location. There were no injuries to police.
Investigative avenues explored by OPP led to the identification of the individual and confirmation that they were prohibited from driving.
On August 14, 2024, at approximately 11:05 a.m., officers responded to a traffic complaint regarding a vehicle eastbound on County Road 22, in the Township of Alnwick-Haldimand. The description provided by the caller led police to believe it was the same driver sought from an incident the previous day.
Police then observed a vehicle matching the description parked off Jakobi Road in the Township of Cramahe. The wanted individual exited and waved down a passing vehicle asking to for a ride as they had run out of gas. The accused got into the passenger side of the vehicle which soon stopped further down the road when the good willing driver observed police and suspected the passenger’s account to be inaccurate.
The accused was then arrested and taken into custody by police.
As a result of both incidents, Kirk VANDEWALKER, 50-years-old, from Warkworth, has
been charged with:
– Dangerous operation – two counts
– Flight from peace officer
– Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
– Operation while prohibited – three counts
– Driving while under suspension – three counts
– Careless driving
– Fail to remain
– Fail to report accident
– Failure to comply with undertaking – two counts
– Operate motor vehicle without insurance
– Drive motor vehicle – no currently validated permit.
The individual was held for bail to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice. Both vehicles driven were impounded for 45-days.
Northumberland OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you suspect someone is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol call 9-1-1. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 or www.stopcrimehere.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
