NRP vehicles damaged, officers hurt, suspect found with cocaine in pickup truck
Four Niagara Regional police cruisers have been damaged, and three officers hurt with minor injuries, while trying to take an impaired driver off the road.
It all started yesterday morning, just after 9, when police were alerted to an impaired driver in the Effingham Street and Sumbler Road area of Pelham.
They learned a Dodge Ram pickup truck was being driven on Chantler Road, toward Welland, while weaving into oncoming traffic. Officers found the pickup parked in a driveway, with the driver's side door open. They spoke to the driver, and found he was impaired, but, as they tried to arrest him, the suspect drove off, causing an officer to be thrown from the vehicle to the ground.
Police say they eventually found the pickup on Forks Road, where they successfully used multiple spike belts... however, the driver kept going.
Police then tried again to stop the pickup, in which the driver collided with police cars. Officers were able to get to the driver's side door, but the pickup kept going.
Officers then brought out the K9 unit, which caused the suspect to get out of the pickup. However, the man kept fighting back against officers, and tried to disarm one of them. Eventually, the suspect was arrested, and taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police say 24-year old Jonathan Lamontagne of Wainfleet is charged with:
- Impaired Operation of a Conveyance
- Flight from Police (two counts)
- Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest
- Attempting to Disarm a Police Officer
- Dangerous Driving
- Resist Arrest
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Cocaine)
He was kept in custody pending a bail hearing today in St. Catharines.
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