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Police release more details about dangerous driving incident

Aug 14, 2017 | 4:31 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Police are releasing more information about a dangerous driving incident that happened over the weekend.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving after police say he attempted to run over a group of people early Sunday morning.

According to police, it happened on Terrace View NE around 1:30 a.m. after a dispute had broken out.

Inspector Joe West said a group of people were outside socializing. The suspect saw what was going on and became annoyed or angered by it.

He allegedly got in his truck and drove at a high rate of speed towards the group.

He came to a stop without hitting anyone, but police say that’s when someone in the group confronted him.

The driver grabbed onto them and started to drive off.

West says the victim fell to the ground but walked away with a few scrapes and minor injuries.

Residents began asking if this was a copy cat crime to what happened in Virgnia earlier in the weekend.

West said it’s hard to confirm, but believes this is an isolated incident.

“As far as the investigation goes, there’s no indication that there was any influence from that event,” he said. “However, one never knows what goes through a persons mind when they attempt to drive at a crowd like that.”

The driver has been charged with dangerous driving. He’s also facing a count of uttering threats and assault with a weapon.

West said the weapon is the truck.

Questions online were also raised as to why he wasn’t charged with something more serious, like attempted murder.

West said it comes down to what the investigation shows officers. It could be the difference between someone having the intention of hurting or killing a person as opposed to just trying to scare them.

West said police are still investigating but don’t believe the driver intended to kill anyone.

“There’s certain elements that have to be in place for that, intent is a big one and for us,” he said. “Often intent can be very difficult to prove. We are still investigating however some of the charges that we have in place are certainly appropriate given the evidence and the circumstances that we have.”

The 27-year-old had a bail hearing on Sunday and has been released.

He’s expected to answer to his charges in court on Thursday.