A Red Deer City RCMP officer was injured after being pinned between a pickup truck and a dumpster while responding to a complaint about a 25-year-old motorist crashing his vehicle into a residential garage.
The events leading up to what would become a short police vehicle chase started at noon on Friday.
City RCMP received a report of an unresponsive motorist in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck that had crashed into a garage in the alley behind the 5700 block of 71st Street.
By the time an officer arrived at the scene, the driver was conscious. A “physical altercation” happened between the officer and the male driver — inside the vehicle, said Cst. Chris Kosack, spokesperson for Red Deer City RCMP.
During the struggle, the driver put the pickup into gear in an attempt to flee the scene.
The officer, who was at that point outside the vehicle, got pinned between the side of the truck and a nearby wooden dumpster, which broke upon impact, said Kosack.
The officer freed himself and the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle.
The injured police officer was transported to Red Deer hospital and was treated and released.
Moments after the motorist fled, police received reports of an erratic driver in the Pines neighbourhood. Police followed the same suspect vehicle north on Gaetz Avenue until near the intersection of Hwy 2A and 11A.
Since the suspect failed to stop, police officers activated sirens and lights and a pursuit ensued.
After the fleeing pickup got stuck on an embankment between Commonwealth Trailer Sales and Kelloway Crescent, the driver ran away on foot.
He was caught and arrested at about 12:35 p.m. The suspect, who is known to police, was transported to Red Deer hospital with minor injuries. He was treated and released into police custody. Charges are pending.
Drugs and alcohol are thought to be factors in the accident, which is still under police investigation.
RCMP are asking anyone with information to call 403-343-5575.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com