A man from Nine Mile River, identified as 23-year-old Justin Oakley, is facing multiple charges following a police pursuit incident in Lunenburg County. The incident began on May 29, when an RCMP officer observed a grey Honda Civic driving on Highway 103 near Chester Basin without a license plate around 11:50 a.m.
Upon noticing the vehicle, the officer activated their emergency lights and sirens. However, the driver, Oakley, did not stop and instead accelerated away from the scene. In the interest of public safety, the officers on duty decided not to engage in a high-speed chase, allowing the car to flee. This decision was taken to mitigate any potential dangers that could arise from a pursuit on the busy highway.
Subsequently, the vehicle was reported to be traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 103 near Exit 9. In response, the RCMP intensified their search efforts with the assistance of the Department of Natural Resources air services. These efforts were crucial in locating the vehicle, which was spotted parked on Oakland Road in Oakland at approximately 1:15 p.m.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Oakley at the scene, where he was found with a youth passenger. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the events leading to his apprehension. Following his arrest, Oakley was charged with flight from a peace officer and dangerous operation of a vehicle in connection with this particular episode.
This was not Oakley’s first encounter with law enforcement. He is also facing charges linked to a previous incident that occurred on May 27 in Barrington Passage. In that case, the RCMP reported a similar vehicle, which was later identified as belonging to Oakley, had backed toward an officer during a traffic stop and subsequently fled the area. This prior incident has resulted in additional charges against him, including two counts of flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and assault with a weapon.
After his arrest, Oakley made an appearance in Bridgewater provincial court on May 30, where he was released under specific conditions. The legal proceedings will continue as he is scheduled to return to court on July 9 at 9:30 a.m. The increasing frequency of such incidents highlights ongoing concerns regarding driver behavior and public safety on the roads.
The case remains under investigation as authorities look into both incidents involving Oakley and further assess the implications of his actions behind the wheel. It serves as a reminder of the critical nature of adhering to traffic regulations and the potential consequences when these laws are disregarded.
