(BLUEWATER, ON) – A 29-year-old Goderich man is facing a slew of charge,s following an out-of-control ride that took place late last week.

At about 9:30 p.m., June 9, Huron County OPP officers received information about a tow truck that was travelling in an extremely dangerous manner. Witnesses reported the vehicle was travelling at a high rate of speed, crossing into both lanes of traffic and venturing into both the south and north ditches. Officers began patrolling for the tow truck and located it travelling southbound on Airport Line.
 

The officer who first observed the tow truck had to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision when the vehicle entered into the oncoming lane directly into the path of the police vehicle. After dodging the tow truck, the officer immediately turned around and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop for the officer. The fleeing driver caused several other oncoming drivers to take evasive action to avoid colliding with the tow truck. In addition, the driver failed to stop for a Stop sign located at the intersection of Airport Line and Zurich-Hensall Road.
 

The out-of-control driver then drove off the roadway into a farmer’s field for a short distance before the vehicle entered back onto the roadway. Officers followed behind from a distance where they witnessed the tow truck leave the roadway once again into another field. This time, after ditching the vehicle, the driver drove it into a tree while trying to get back onto the roadway. 
 

At that point, the driver exited his vehicle and his wild ride came to an end. Upon locating the man, officers arrested him for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Impaired Driving by Drug. He was subsequently transported to the Huron OPP detachment where he submitted to tests conducted by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).  It was determined by the DRE that the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by a drug.
 

Further investigation revealed the tow truck had been stolen earlier in the day from a business located in Central Huron. In addition, officers learned the driver sideswiped a minivan and also collided with a Stop sign located at the intersection of Airport Line and Kippen Road.
 

As a result, 29-year-old Cory HODGES of Goderich has been charged with the following offences:
 

• Theft of Motor Vehicle

• Dangerous Driving

• Mischief Under $5,000

• Flight from Police Officer

• Impaired Driving by Drug

• Two Counts of Breach of Probation

• Two Counts of Fail to Remain at Scene of Collision

• Drive Motor Vehicle with Suspended Licence

• Drive Motor with No Licence

He remains in custody with a video court appearance scheduled for the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich, June 15.
 

*THESE CHARGES HAVE YET TO BE PROVEN IN COURT*