His motorcycle was wearing a plate that read “RUN THIS.” Police did.
The rider was sitting on the shoulder near 16th Avenue and Mutual Street in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, when York Regional Police caught up with him on Aug. 9.
Police say he had been involved in a collision and was told to return to the scene to exchange information. He left instead, even after being advised he was under arrest.
Body-camera footage released Monday shows the officer approaching from behind while the rider keeps looking away.
Keep Your Head on a Swivel
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The officer spots the rider sitting on the motorcycle and tells dispatch, “It looks like he’s trying to taunt us.”
The cruiser rolls slowly across the grass. The officer gets out, closes the door with unusual care, removes his sunglasses, and starts creeping forward.
The rider keeps looking ahead.
Once the officer gets close enough, he runs the final few steps and tackles him off the motorcycle.
With the NFL season underway, York Regional Police described it as a “beautiful form tackle” and offered one piece of advice: keep your head on a swivel.
The rider now faces charges for failing to stop after an accident, fleeing a peace officer, driving without insurance, failing to disclose insurance information after an accident, and permitting or using an unauthorized plate.
York Regional Police did not identify the rider in its post.
A Different Playbook
Section 320.16 of Canada’s Criminal Code covers leaving an accident without stopping and providing the required information when a driver knows, or is reckless as to whether, the vehicle was involved. Section 320.17 covers failing, without reasonable excuse, to stop while being pursued by a peace officer.
Prosecutors can proceed summarily or by indictment. Under the Criminal Code’s punishment provision, either offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years on indictment. A summary conviction can carry a maximum of two years less a day in custody, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
In the US, states generally handle hit-and-run and police-evasion laws. California makes leaving a property-damage-only crash a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Simple flight from a pursuing police officer carries up to one year.
Reckless fleeing is punished more severely in California, while states including Florida have felony fleeing offenses.
Ontario’s Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act sets a $5,000 to $25,000 fine for a first conviction involving an owner or lessee operating, or permitting the operation of, an uninsured vehicle. A license suspension of up to one year is also possible.
The province’s Highway Traffic Act permits a $100 to $1,000 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both for specified number-plate violations. A license or permit can also be suspended for up to six months.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.