Winnipeg Police Air 1 takes down dangerous driver near floodway

WINNIPEG — A Selkirk man led police on a high speed chase Sunday night because he didn’t have a drivers licence according to police.

Around 10:50 p.m., officers pulled over a suspicious vehicle on Henderson Highway near Neil Avenue but when the officers approached the car, the driver sped off north on Henderson.

Air 1 was called in to help and ground units backed off while the helicopter tracked the vehicle driving north on Highway 59 in the southbound lanes, and reaching speeds of 160 kilometers an hour at times.

“We want this individual to reduce their speeds by having the helicopter observe this vehicle from a distance, we can very methodically close in on this vehicle and stop this individual,” said Constable Jason Michalyshen.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We want this individual to reduce their speeds by having the helicopter observe this vehicle from a distance, we can very methodically close in on this vehicle and stop this individual," said Constable Jason Michalyshen.

When the suspect reached the floodway near Springhill Winter Park, Air 1 observed the driver stopping the car, and throwing something into the snow.  Michalyshen says it was the keys to the car.

Michalyshen said the driver then began running towards Oasis Road when Air 1 instructed ground units of the man’s whereabouts and he was quickly arrested.

Byron Wayne Frost, 29, of Selkirk has been charged with Flight while Pursued by Peace Officer, Fail to Comply with Probation Order, and Driving while Disqualified.

He remains in custody.

The future of Air 1 is currently being debated and could possibly be grounded.

Constable Michalyshen says this is a clear example of why Air 1 is vital to the department. He says without the helicopter this driver may have hurt someone with his manner of driving but instead he gave up, believing he wasn’t being followed anymore.

“There’s always the potential this individual would have gotten away or locating this individual would have taken even longer,” said Michalyshen. “It creates a much safer way of dealing with individuals who are trying to evade us.”