Another Estevan man has been sentenced to jail time after leading police on a high-speed pursuit.
Evan Garrow, 22, received four months in jail for dangerous driving after previously pleading guilty to the charges.
There have been several cases to pass through Estevan provincial court in the last few weeks that involve individuals who have fled police in their vehicles and resulted in a chase down Highway 39. Judge Karl Bazin wanted to review those decisions as well as others provided by defence and Crown counsel before reaching his decision.
When comparing the matter of Justin Yakimchuk, who was recently sentenced to 18 months in jail under similar but more serious circumstances than Garrow's, Bazin noted that Garrow was facing less serious charges and didn't injure anybody in the course of the pursuit. Bazin did say however, that the driving circumstances are nearly identical, and had previously said Garrow didn't injure anybody thanks to "coincidence and luck."
The charges arose after Garrow stole a vehicle in June 2011, after finding a car parked with the keys in the ignition.
Estevan Police Service members were alerted to Garrow by his erratic driving and attempted a traffic stop. That's when Garrow fled in the vehicle, heading out of Estevan on Highway 39.
Garrow veered into oncoming traffic on the highway and drove without headlights. The pursuit lasted from Estevan to Weyburn, and Garrow reached speeds of around 170 kilometres per hour. The Weyburn RCMP were called to assist in the chase, and they laid out a spike belt on the highway, which the vehicle struck with its front passenger tire.
That slowed Garrow's vehicle down to about 120 kilometres per hour.
The vehicle chase ended after entering Weyburn where Garrow struck two barricades, eventually becoming hung up on a water pipe that was being used to pump water across the highway.
Garrow got out of the car and a chase on foot ensued, but he was quickly caught and arrested.
Along with the four months in jail, Garrow will be on probation for 12 months following his release and be subject to an 18-month driving prohibition.
In other court proceedings, Kevin Jahn pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement, assault, uttering threats and mischief. The Crown is proceeding by indictment on the charges, which comes with more serious penalties if there is a conviction, and Jahn elected a trial by Court of Queen's Bench with a judge sitting alone.
A preliminary inquiry was scheduled in Estevan provincial court for Oct. 1. Jahn will remain in custody while he awaits the hearing.
