David Wernham – Fail to Stop For Police – High Speed Chase – Truck Explosion – Multiple Charges

(MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) On Friday September 17, 2010, at approximately 2:30 a.m. a Perth County OPP officer patrolling Line 42 south of Bornholm observed an east bound pickup truck without a front licence plate. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the truck sped away at a high rate of speed. The truck failed to stop as it crossed a number of stop sign controlled intersections. The officer obtained a description of the vehicle and stopped following the truck which entered into Huron County south of Seaforth.

Huron and Perth County OPP officers continued patrolling for the pickup truck in their respective areas. A short while later, officers observed a fire in a field in the area of Centennial and Hensall road in Huron East. While approaching the fire, tracks were observed leading into a private driveway and through a cornfield. They located the pickup truck in question and observed that it had struck a large tree, caught on fire and exploded.

Investigation revealed that the driver had fled the scene after driving the vehicle in to the tree. The vehicle carried a tank in the box of the truck containing combustible material which had exploded after impact. The OPP canine unit attended and conducted a successful track locating the male driver.

David Wernham (48) from Huron East was arrested and charged with a number of Criminal Code and Highway Traffic Act offences. These include the following;

o Being in possession of ammunition while being prohibited from doing so.
o Flight from police.
o Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
o Mischief under $5.000
o Breaking and Entering.
o Being in possession of property obtained by crime under $5.000
o Driving while being under suspension
o Possessing an illegal licence.

Mr. Wernham is held in custody and is to appear for a bail hearing on Tuesday September 21, 2010.

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