A man is facing numerous charges after allegedly leading Rocky Mountain House RCMP on a chase through town and across a farmer’s field and down an embankment on Wednesday night.
Police said they got a call about a suspected drunk driver on Highway 11 at about 7:10 p.m.
“The vehicle was seen to be driving very erratically,” said police. “Patrols were made, but the vehicle was not initially located.”
Police got another call at about 7:35 p.m. that a Jeep was being driven dangerously in town. At one point, the vehicle was driving on a walking path and into a skate park.
The Jeep was spotted, but the driver did not pull over for police. It sped through town and ended up on Highway 11, heading south.
At Range Road 7-1, the Jeep smashed through a fence and drove on to a farmer’s field.
“It drove across the field, and ultimately drove over a steep embankment and crashed approximately 25 to 30 feet down,” said police.
The driver jumped out and ran into a nearby wooded area. A police dog unit was called, but the suspect came out of the woods and was arrested before the team was needed.
The suspect was taken to hospital and treated and released.
Police said the Jeep had been reported stolen from Stettler. A search turned up a sawed-off shotgun, bear mace and a machete.
James Stewart Shewchuk, 31, is facing six charges, including two counts of possession of a weapon contrary to a court order, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police.
Shewchuk remains in custody and a court date will be set later.