Transport truck was stolen before pursuit along TCH, police say as Bishop's Falls man charged

A Bishop's Falls man is facing impaired driving charges and is accused of stealing a transport truck before taking it on the Trans-Canada Highway, triggering a pursuit involving police across central Newfoundland.

Police arrested William Morris, 39, shortly before 6:30 p.m. NT on Saturdayinside Terra Nova National Park, according to a news release from the RCMP.

Officers first engaged when reports came in about a stolen transport truck being operated by a suspectedimpaired driver. The truck was missing its trailer and was seen heading east toward Lewisporte, police said Monday.

The driver repeatedly failed to stop for police, the news release said, even continuing when a spike belt flattened the truck's tires.

WATCH | The CBC's Troy Turner has details on a high-speed chase in central Newfoundland:

A 200-kilometre high-speed chase ends with a arrest and a truckload of charges

10 days ago

Duration 2:07

William Morris, 39, is facing several charges after being accused of stealing a transport truck and driving while impaired across central Newfoundland. Police made several efforts to stop the truck. The chase ended on the outskirts of Terra Nova National Park. The CBCs Troy Turner reports.

Kim Collins caught the arrest on video, and told CBC News she was glad no one was hurt.

"It could have been a whole lot worse because there was nobody killed. So that's that's very lucky," she said.

Once the truck was stopped, police said Morris was removed from the vehicle and showed signs of impairment. Open alcohol was also found inside the truck, a police statement said.

Video taken on social media shows several officers on the driverafter he was pulled from the car.

Morris was scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Hefaces charges of theft of a vehicle, flight from police, two counts of dangerous operation, refusing a breathalyzer, and failure to complywith a condition of release order.

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