Man seen driving in reverse on HWY 28 arrested after pursuit in Bonnyville

Bonnyville RCMP arrested a Cold Lake man after a pursuit on Sunday morning, seen by many in a viral video online.

Police received a report Sunday morning around 8:15am, that a suspicious vehicle was seen around the former Kopala building, the future home of Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Station 1.

When police were en route, the Dodge Ram 3500 pick-up left, and was seen driving in reverse at a speed of approximately 25-30 km/hr, eastbound on Highway 28 towards Bonnyville.

RCMP said the truck lost a tire and there were sparks flying everywhere. Officers said many motorists got out of the way to avoid being hit by the Ram.

Due to the risk to users of the highway, officers initiated a pursuit.

Officers then noted a civilian vehicle attempt to stop the suspect vehicle, which veered onto 70 Street, a side road adjacent to Highway 28. 

Both vehicles then collided and the suspect vehicle stopped, however, the suspect then intentionally rammed the police car, rendering it inoperable. Officers were able to conduct a high risk arrest and the suspect was taken into custody. It was determined that the suspect vehicle had been stolen from a business in Bonnyville at approximately 1 a.m., on July 30.

Simon Erwin Cardinal, 30, a resident of Cold Lake, faces 11 charges, including:

• Assault with a weapon
• Operate a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner
• Possession of stolen property over $5000

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Cardinal was remanded into custody and will be appearing at Alberta Court of Justice on Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Bonnyville.