A motorcyclist has been hit with a $2,875 fine and an eight-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to several driving offences in the Bowden-Olds area – including going 65 km/h over the speed limit.
On April 4, Billyjack Williams of no fixed address was clocked going 165 kilometres an hour in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 2A about six kilometres south of Bowden.
A police officer saw him roar by.
“The officer activated the police vehicle's emergency equipment, however the operator of the motorcycle did not stop,” an RCMP news release says.
“The bike was seen turning into a residential area at the south end of Bowden. Patrols were conducted to locate the motorcyclist. Local residents alerted police to having seen the offender and then advised they could hear the motorbike in the area.
“Police began an additional patrol when the motorbike exited a nearby alley and turned north toward the police vehicle. The motorcyclist attempted to go around the police vehicle but struck the driver's-side corner of the police vehicle at low speed.
“The operator of the motorcycle surrendered to police after running up over a curb, and riding into shrubbery, causing the bike to tip over within approximately 16 metres of the police vehicle,” police say.
The motorcylist didn't suffer any injuries. Minor damage was inflicted on the bike and police vehicle.
“Continuing police investigation uncovered that the operator had 15 outstanding warrants for his arrest out of Wetaskiwin and Blackfalds (RCMP) detachments. Additionally, the plate on the bike was reported stolen,” RCMP add.
Williams appeared in Didsbury provincial court on April 11.
He was charged with driving while disqualified, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operating motor vehicle while pursued by police, possession of stolen property and failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking.
Williams was also charged with speeding, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, operating an unregistered vehicle, displaying a licence plate not authorized under the Traffic Safety Act, as well as operating a motor vehicle without proof of ownership.
Williams pleaded guilty to several of those charges.
As a result, he was handed an eight-month jail sentence for driving while disqualified, operating a motor vehicle while pursued by police and failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking (a promise to the court).
Williams was also fined $2,875 for operating an uninsured motor vehicle on a highway. If he doesn't pay that fine, he'll serve 45 days in jail.
All other charges against him were withdrawn.
"The officer activated the police vehicle's emergency equipment, however the operator of the motorcycle did not stop."OLDS RCMP
