A man who crashed a stolen car, stole the car of a Good Samaritan who had pulled over to help, and then hit and killed a dog will be sentenced later this week.
Cass Devon Gibson, 26, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to six charges from two incidents Tuesday.
Crown Prosecutor Ann MacDonald told Red Deer provincial court Judge David Plosz that Sylvan Lake RCMP received reports of a vehicle being driven at excessive speeds and recklessly on Hwy 11, before it crashed near Kussamo on Feb. 11.
Police said the car was stolen out of Kelowna, B.C., but had Alberta licence plates that Gibson had taken from his brother’s vehicle.
A Good Samaritan pulled over to assist, but Gibson got into that person’s vehicle and fled.
While fleeing, Gibson struck a dog with the newly stolen vehicle and MacDonald said it was the Crown’s understanding that the dog was sent airborne. It has since died.
A pedestrian had to dive out of the way as Gibson attempted to flee. Gibson said he had no intention of hitting her and that he was not that kind of guy.
He drove into Sylvan Lake, where he was involved in another crash. He fled that scene to his family’s house. He was coaxed out of the house by family members and the arrested.
He pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle, possession stolen property over $5,000, operating a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner and failing to remain on scene.
Earlier, in October 2014, Gibson had asked to sleep at a friend’s house as he had nowhere to go.
His friends awoke early one morning to hear Gibson screaming and threatening from the room he was sleeping in. Gibson said he had a substance abuse problem. He screamed while he slept because of the drugs he was taking.
He was asked to leave several times but did not. The friends then left him alone when they heard a commotion inside the room.
MacDonald, reading the allegations, said Gibson had spat on the walls, carved his name into the walls and sprayed hairspray on the bed sheets and tried to light them on fire.
He was removed from the house and threatened to stab one of his friends.
He pleaded guilty to uttering threats and mischief to property.
MacDonald suggested Gibson serve a sentence of 15 to 18 months in custody and also have a period of probation and a driving prohibition upon his release. Defence counsel instead suggested a 12-to-15 month sentence.
Plosz asked for some time to review the matters. Sentencing has been set for Friday in Red Deer provincial court.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com