Court: Flight from local police ended for Kevin Brissette when car crashes into cruiser

Source: Sault Star

ONTARIO - A disqualified driver's street racing stint culminated in a collision with a Sault Ste. Marie Police Service cruiser, a judge heard Monday.

Kevin Brissette plowed into the police car on Aug. 12 after he repeatedly ignored attempts by another officer to pull him over.

The 23-year-old man pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and failing to stop for police.

Ontario Court Justice Kristine Bignell adjourned sentencing until Jan. 25 so that a pre-sentence report can be prepared.

Prosecutor Kelly Weeks indicated that a count of dangerous driving while street racing will be withdrawn at that time.

A city police constable was doing radar checks on Goulais Avenue at 7:45 a. m. when he spotted a black pickup truck northbound at a high speed at the crest of the hill.

As he was targeting the truck with the radar unit, a second vehicle passed the pickup, travelling in excess of 100 km/h, Weeks said.

With his emergency lights activated, the officer pursued the 1998 Chevy Malibu along nearby streets and attempted to block the road at a couple of spots.

Brissette evaded him and headed back along Goulais Avenue, where another police officer tried to stop the car with a spike belt.

"The vehicle went on to the grass to avoid it,'' the assistant Crown attorney said. The car made a right turn against the light, narrowly missing another vehicle.

It continued along Second Line West, then turned into a driveway and crossed through the driveway to Allen's Side Road.

Brissette collided with another cruiser when he ran a stop sign, Weeks said. The officer, who complained of a sore head and leg, was taken to hospital for treatment.