TRURO - A 26-year-old Economy man awaiting sentencing on charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and leaving the scene of an accident is in custody again.
Ryan Harvey McLellan is now facing charges of refusing the breathalyzer, impaired driving, operating a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner, flight from police and two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking - one for consuming alcohol and the other for disobeying a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
At about 1 a.m. Friday, Truro Police Service patrol officers attempted to stop a green GMC truck on the Esplanade for a motor vehicle infraction. When the emergency equipment was activated on the police vehicle, the male driver of the truck accelerated and refused to stop.
The driver showed no regard for red lights or stop signs, so officers discontinued pursuing.
A short time later, another patrol officer spotted the vehicle on Robie Street near the Irving. When the emergency equipment was activated on the patrol vehicle, the driver of the truck ditched the vehicle and fled on foot.
He was arrested after a foot chase.
Appearing in provincial court on Friday in Truro, defence lawyer Amber Snow advised the court she was not prepared to go ahead with a show cause hearing that day and requested an adjournment until Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
The Crown prosecutor agreed to the request for an adjournment, and is also waiting to enter an election to how they are proceeding with the charges - by summary conviction or indictment.
McLellan entered guilty pleas last month to one count each of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and leaving the scene of an accident - incidents that occurred during the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
At that time, Holly Grue, a 23-year-old Bass River woman, was walking alongside the road after leaving the Economy Community Centre when she was struck by a car. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken back, ribs and ankle, a fractured spine and pelvis, and torn ligaments in her left knee.
She's still in a wheelchair and may never walk again.
During that investigation, police determined the vehicle that struck her was located in the ditch a short distance away from where she was struck.
Additional charges from that incident - theft of a motor vehicle and impaired driving - are expected to be withdrawn during McLellan's Oct. 23 sentencing hearing.
