Red Deer City RCMP have laid a slew of charges against a 25-year-old Red Deer man after a police officer was injured while investigating a car collision.
A city RCMP officer was hurt at noon Friday after being pinned between a pickup truck and a dumpster while responding to a complaint about a motorist crashing his vehicle into a residential garage in the alley behind the 5700 block of 71st Street.
According to an RCMP report, a “physical altercation” happened between the officer and the male driver. During the struggle, the driver put the pickup in gear in an attempt to flee the scene. And 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.
The injured police officer was transported to Red Deer hospital and was treated and released.
The suspect vehicle was followed by police north on Gaetz Avenue until near the intersection of Hwy 2A and 11A. When the driver failed to stop, police officers activated sirens and lights and a short pursuit ensued.
The driver ran away on foot after the pickup got stuck on an embankment.
He was caught and arrested at about 12:35 p.m. The suspect was transported to Red Deer hospital with minor injuries and was treated and released into police custody.
Justin Stead, 25, of Red Deer, faces 12 charges, including impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, fleeing police, resisting arrest, possessing stolen property over $5,000, as well as under $5,000, mischief, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
Stead remains in police custody and will appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
The collision is still under police investigation. RCMP are asking anyone with information to call 403-343-5575.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com