A Muskoka Lakes driver nearly crashed into a stopped school bus before rolling his company work van into the ditch, landing back on his wheels and fleeing the scene, a Bracebridge court heard yesterday.
Daniel Bray, 31, pled guilty to obstruction of justice, stemming from the incident, which occurred on Sept. 27, 2022.
According to an OPP report, on that day at 3:22 pm officers responded to a call for service on Muskoka Road 169 in Muskoka Lakes Township north of Glen Orchard. Court heard that a school bus was stopped with all its lights engaged and stop arm extended and a child had just exited the bus when a southbound Chevrolet Express work van lost control, rolled over eventually coming to rest on its wheels again and fled the scene toward Glen Orchard. Witnesses said the white van had company logos on it.
Court heard that police were able to catch up to the vehicle and two suspects a short time later. By that point, the van was parked some distance from the road and the logos had been removed.
Court heard that the officer smelled alcohol in the air, but neither man would tell police who the driver of the van was. Both were charged with obstruction.
Defence lawyer Kerry Evans said they did not accept the Crown’s assertion that alcohol was involved, or that a nine-year-old child was almost hit by the van.
Bray was fined $1,000.
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