4 days ago
Saskatchewan motorist facing 14 charges after fleeing police on northern Ont. highway
Ontario Provincial Police stopped an erratic driver on Highway 17 near Manitouwadge, Ont., uncovering illicit substances including psilocybin, cocaine and methamphetamines on August 4, 2025. (Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)
A 40-year-old Saskatchewan man is facing 14 criminal and traffic-related charges after allegedly fleeing from police in a pickup truck on a northern Ontario highway earlier this month.
Ontario Provincial Police responded to multiple calls about an erratic driver heading eastbound on Highway 17 near Three Finger Lake on Aug. 4 shortly before 11:30 a.m.
Officers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly left the highway and entered a forested area, using ATV trails in an attempt to evade police.
The suspect was apprehended shortly afterwards when he exited the trails.
OPP - Erratic driver
Ontario Provincial Police stopped an erratic driver on Highway 17 near Manitouwadge, Ont., on August 4, 2025. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)
Charges include drug trafficking, weapons offences
The accused, a resident of Carievale, Sask., has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from a peace officer, possession of a prohibited device or ammunition and possession of break-in instruments. Additional charges include drug trafficking, three counts of drug possession, two possession of property obtained by crime offences, driving with cannabis readily available and operating a motor vehicle with a speed measurement warning device along with failing to comply with a release order and disobeying a court order.
Marathon OPP - Drugs Seized - Aug 4
Ontario Provincial Police stopped an erratic driver on Highway 17 near Manitouwadge, Ont., uncovering illicit substances including psilocybin, cocaine and methamphetamines on August 4, 2025. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)
Following an initial court appearance on Aug. 5 in Thunder Bay, the suspect was remanded into custody. A future court date is expected to be scheduled.
'The investigation is ongoing,' the OPP stated in a news release last week.
Authorities are asking anyone with information or dash camera footage related to the incident to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
