Calgary

Charges laid after Airdrie RCMP officer struck, dragged by vehicle fleeing police

A Calgary man faces numerous criminal charges after an RCMP officer was struck and dragged by a vehicle fleeing police in Airdrie on the weekend.

Mounties were trying to stop suspicious vehicle in Airdrie when it reversed at high speed

Skylar Stevens-Rose, 25, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a peace officer, and four other charges related to fleeing police and resisting arrest. This is one of the police vehicles he rammed. (RCMP)

A Calgary man faces numerous criminal charges after an RCMP member was struck and dragged by a vehicle fleeing police in Airdrie on the weekend.

Airdrie RCMP were trying to stop a suspicious vehicle on Yankee Valley Boulevard shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday and were in position for a traffic stop when the suspect vehicle drove away in a "dangerous manner."

Officers pursued until the vehicle came to a sudden stop in the intersection of Cooper's Crossing Gate and Cooper's Drive.

When officers got out of their vehicles and approached, the suspect vehicle suddenly reversed, hitting one of the officers and two police cars. RCMP believe the officer was dragged by the suspect vehicle.

The suspect vehicle fled and struck another car as it took off east of the city. Police followed the vehicle until it went off the road into a ditch at Township Road 270 and Range Road 290.

Suspect fled on foot

The driver fled on foot but was found shortly after by an Airdrie police dog. RCMP say another officer was hurt during the arrest.

Three youth passengers in the vehicle were also arrested, but police later determined they had no involvement in the incident.

Skyler Stevens-Rose, 25, has been charged with:

  • Aggravated assault of a police officer. 
  • Dangerous driving causing bodily harm. 
  • Failing to stop at the scene of an accident (3 counts).
  • Flight causing bodily harm.
  • Forcible confinement (3 counts).
  • Resisting arrest. 
  • Impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
  • Operation of a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content over 80 mg% and causing bodily harm.

Stevens-Rose is set to appear in Airdrie provincial court on Thursday.

The officer who was struck by the suspect vehicle was taken to Foothills hospital where he is recovering after surgery. 

Another officer had an injured hand but did not need surgery. 

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Airdrie RCMP or Crime Stoppers.