**** RCMP Media Release
Eskasoni RCMP charge man in dangerous driving incident
Eskasoni RCMP has charged a man in a dangerous driving incident that occurred near 74th St. in Eskasoni.
On July 25, 2023, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Eskasoni RCMP responded to a report of a possible impaired driver, driving a side by side near 74th St. in Eskasoni. RCMP officers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, however the driver refused to stop, struck an RCMP police vehicle and, fled the scene.
Approximately 1 hour later, RCMP officers located the side by side on a trail in Eskasoni. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel asleep. Officers safely arrested the driver and observed that he was displaying signs of impairment. He was transported to the Eskasoni Detachment where he provided samples of breath that were more than three times the legal limit.
Stephen Ryan Francis, 37, of Eskasoni, has been charged with Assault with a Weapon, Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance, Impaired Operation of a Conveyance, Impaired Operation equal to, or over, 80mg%, Flight from Police and Driving while Prohibited. Francis has been remanded into custody and will appear in Sydney Provincial Court today.
