Suspected impaired driver in Oshawa who fled police ‘did not think’ lit up cruisers were police

A man who was suspected of driving impaired led police on a chase because he “didn’t think” the police cars with activated lights and sirens were trying to pull him over.

Durham Regional Police received reports of an impaired driver in Oshawa on Oct. 14. The officers caught up to the driver shortly thereafter and tried to pull him over. However, the man did not stop and proceeded onto Hwy. 401.

The cops followed him onto the highway with lights and sirens going off but the driver kept on his way. Finally, another cruiser was able to block the driver and force him to stop. Police conducted an assessment of him, concluding he was not impaired.

The driver, 35 of East York, told police “he did not know he was being stopped by police and did not think police vehicles with lights and sirens activated were emergency vehicles,” Durham police wrote.

He’s been charged with failure to stop for police and failure to stop for an emergency vehicle.

“If you see lights and hear sirens from any emergency vehicles, please safely come to a complete stop at the right of the roadway,” police said, “If you suspect a driver may be impaired or observe dangerous driving, please call 911.”