Calgary firefighter hurt after being dragged by stolen vehicle; suspect charged
Posted Jul 3, 2022 10:21 am.
Last Updated Jul 4, 2022 9:41 am.
Calgary police say a suspect has been charged after a member of the Calgary Fire Department was injured, allegedly being dragged by a stolen vehicle Saturday afternoon.
At around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, police officers say they were called for a report of a single-vehicle collision on Bermuda Drive NW near Bergen Road NW.
While the firefighters were performing their duty on the scene, a Calgary firefighter was hurt when dragged by a stolen vehicle fleeing from the accident scene, police say.
The firefighter was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Officers say the Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (HAWCS) was used due to the high-risk nature of the incident and the suspect’s driving. The suspect was taken into custody near Highway 21 and Township Road 221.
“In incidents like these, our priority is always to ensure public safety first,” said Duty Insp. Jeff Pennoyer of the CPS Real Time Operations Centre.
“The driver demonstrated little regard for the safety of both the public and our fellow first responders, and as such, we dedicated resources from across the Service to safely resolve this incident.”
Calgary police add that prior to this incident, the suspect also crashed into the vehicle of a peace officer who was conducting a traffic stop outside of Calgary.
The peace officer also faced minor injuries.
During the alleged hit-and-run the suspect is said to have caused damage to an Esso gas station in Strathmore and a railway crossing barrier.
The suspect also tried to crash into several other police vehicles, say police.
The 35-year-old suspect is facing charges, including:
- assaulting a police officer with a weapon
- assault with a weapon
- two counts of mischief to property under $5,000
- dangerous driving causing bodily harm
- dangerous driving
- flight from a peace officer
- cruelty to animals
- possession of identity documents
- resisting arrest and possession of stolen property over $5,000
- 10 counts of breaching a release order
He is set to appear in court on Monday, July 18, 2022.
–With files from Dan Carson
