2021-04-14

Police charge teen with dangerous driving linked to Bridgewater crash

Police allege a 17-year-old South Shore youth had alcohol in his system when he drove a Pontiac Wave into the path of a Nissan Rogue at a speed of at least 100 km/h along King Street in Bridgewater.

The adult woman behind the wheel of the Rogue involved in the January 18 head-on crash sustained "fractures and internal injuries," Bridgewater's deputy police chief Danny MacPhee told LighthouseNOW after authorities announced six charges were filed against the youth.

The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and four infractions under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act.

The traffic offences alleged are for careless driving, driving left of a double solid line, stunting, and breaching the zero blood-alcohol level condition attached to a newly licenced driver.

Licence points get assigned and fines can result from most of the traffic ticket convictions. The largest single fine among the bunch is for stunting; the $2,422.50 fine is attached to the charge when a vehicle is travelling more than 50 km/h over the speed limit. The north King Street area where the January 18 crash occurred the speed limit is 50 km/h.

MacPhee said the young male passenger travelling with the accused sustained injuries, including a deep cut requiring stitches. "Anytime you have stitches or broken bones, then that would be bodily harm at that stage," he explained to LighthouseNOW during a telephone call.

Witness evidence and information gleaned from search warrants executed to obtain data recorder material from a vehicle and medical records aided the investigation.

Unless new details emerge, MacPhee said, no further charges are expected.

Paramedics, police and volunteer firefighters descended on King Street on the date in question just before noon where the crash occurred, just south of the Starr Street intersection on the west side of town.

Firefighters used specialized extrication tools to free both drivers, opening a vehicle door and moving a dashboard. The three injured people were taken to hospital by ambulance.

The case against the youth is due in front of a judge in late June as the matter navigates the legal system. None of the charges have been tested in court and the youth is presumed innocent.