A 21-year old man from Lethbridge, driving a truck stolen from Coaldale, forced other drivers off the roads while he made his way north from the scene of the crime. He ended up rolling the vehicle north of Nanton on Highway 2 after police shut down the roadway to capture the runaway thief.
High River RCMP were notified of the driver on Saturday morning just before 10 a.m. He was speeding, driving erratically and forcing other vehicles off the highway while making his getaway.
RCMP from Fort MacLeod and Claresholm had attempted to end the man’s flight from authority by deploying a spike belt across the highway, but the man was able to avoid the belt and continued his erratic driving north towards Nanton.
A Nanton By-Law officer who was conducting stationary mobile radar clocked the man at 160 km/h in a 70 km/h zone. The by-law officer attempted to stop the man, but was unsuccessful. RCMP from Nanton then joined in the chase for the man just north of Nanton.
High River RCMP assisted in the chase when they shut down northbound lanes of Highway 2 in order to deploy two spike belts on the road. Southbound lanes were also closed down as RCMP set up a single spike belt on those lanes. The driver saw the RCMP officers on the roadside as he traveled north.
He then entered the west median and then continued his northbound journey in the southbound lanes of the highway for a short distance. The vehicle hit the ditch again and then crashed into an approach, causing it to roll and come to rest on the passenger side.
The truck then burst into flames and the man was able to escape the burning truck. The driver, 21-year old Kyle Hamilton from Lethbridge sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for examination.
RCMP are now linking the 21-year old to a series of crimes in the Lethbridge area on Saturday morning. Police alleged Hamilton was involved in an assault involving two women in Lethbridge early on Saturday morning. The group had been drinking when a dispute occurred and Hamilton allegedly began punching and kicking the women in the face and head. Both women had to be taken to hospital for treatment of facial and head injuries.
After that altercation, police believe Hamilton then went to Diesel Tech Services in Lethbridge, entered a fenced compound and stole a truck valued at $15,000 and a trailer containing a tank and pump valued at $120,000. The vehicle was driven to Coaldale where it was found with extensive damage from a fire.
Hamilton is being charged with numerous offences including Dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, possession of stolen property, impaired driving by drug and other provincial statutes. He is also facing additional charges stemming from the assault and theft of the vehicle and trailer.
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Lethbridge man facing multiple charges after car theft and high speed getaway
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