(BLUEWATER, ON) – A 67-year-old from Bluewater is facing a number of criminal and traffic offences following a traffic stop that took place earlier this week.
At approximately 3:21 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 a Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer observed a Kubota Utility Vehicle (UTV) travelling westbound on Short Horn Road near Airport Line. The officer watched as the driver failed to stop for the stop sign at the controlled intersection.
The officer activated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the driver however the driver continued to proceed westbound and initially failed to stop for the officer. The officer was able to pull up alongside the driver and eventually the driver pulled over.
The driver got out of his vehicle and confronted the officer by yelling and screaming at the officer. Upon serving the driver a ticket for the infraction of Disobey Stop Sign the driver then picked up a large rock and held it in a threatening manner. The officer ordered the driver to drop the rock however the male threw the rock at the officer and struck him in the upper body.
Upon being struck the officer utilized a conducted energy weapon (CEW) to gain control of the accused and to take him into custody. The injured officer was later treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Geert HOSPER, 67 years of age from Bluewater has been charged with the following offences:
Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon
Resist Peace Officer
Disobey Stop Sign Fail to Stop
Fail to Surrender Driver’s Licence
Fail to Surrender Permit
Fail to Surrender Insurance Card
He has since been released from custody with a court date scheduled for July 10, 2017 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.