WARNING: This video contains graphic content that some may find disturbing.
Steven Cloutier told police he was “past the breaking point” the day he drove his Ford F-150 through an Edmonton Petro Canada gas station, severely injuring two employees; a man and a woman. Two other female employees were also injured.
Cloutier, 39, was originally facing a long list of charges, including four counts of attempted murder.
READ MORE: Man facing attempted murder charges after driving truck into Edmonton gas station
On Monday, he pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, mischief over $5,000 and assault.
On Nov. 19, 2015, Cloutier didn’t run from police. In fact, he watched from across the street as emergency crews arrived at the Petro Canada at 96 Street and 118 Avenue. Once in police custody, he told the investigator he should be in a mental hospital.
“There is a breaking point and everyone has it,” he said.
“Mine came a while ago and something just snapped in my mind and that’s it,” Cloutier said.
He said his downward spiral began after his sister died by suicide.
In an agreed statement of facts, Cloutier admitted to getting frustrated after he arrived at the gas station on the morning of Nov. 18, 2015.
He left his driver’s licence with the store clerk and went out to the pre-pay pump, but it still didn’t work. The clerk thought Cloutier left a credit card and told another staff member to advise Cloutier over the intercom. By this time, Cloutier had moved his truck to a different pump, but it also required pre-payment. After alerting Cloutier over the intercom, he became upset and went back in the store.
Watch below: Global News now has the shocking surveillance video of a truck ramming through the front of a gas station. The man behind the wheel told police the employees he injured deserved it. Kendra Slugoski was in court on Monday as he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and other charges. WARNING: Video contains disturbing images.
The agreed statement of facts online that Cloutier slammed his fist on the counter and yelled at the store clerk. He left the store without his driver’s licence. Fearing for their safety, staff locked the front door, then attempted to return his driver’s licence by sliding it through the after-hours payment slot. By that time, Cloutier was at his vehicle and drove off.
About a minute later, Cloutier cut across three lanes of traffic and returned to the store. It was determined Cloutier was travelling at least 47 km/hr when he drove his truck through the Petro Canada.
Yeon Kim was pinned underneath and Joseph Loutitt was pinned between the truck and the steel rubble. The workers weren’t freed until someone came in the store and slowly reversed the truck.
Loutitt was visibly shaken during Monday’s court proceedings and told reporters he just got out of a wheelchair in April. Loutitt suffered two broken legs, a broken knee cap and broken shoulder blade. He is now using a crutch to help him walk.
After the crash, Cloutier left the vehicle and punched one of the other female workers in the face stating: “How do you like that?”
During his police interview, Cloutier said he was trying to leave Edmonton and hoped he didn’t hurt any customers. He said he had no conscience anymore.
“In my opinion, the staff members in the store deserved what they got.”
“I have no hard feelings about it,” he told police. “The guy that locked the door behind me, he deserved what he got too.”
Yeon Kim suffered broken legs, a shattered pelvis, compound ankle fracture, kidney damage, a blood infection and a broken jaw. Her shoulder was also injured and she is still recovering from eye damage.
The two other employees are also still recovering from their injuries.
Cloutier remains in custody and will be back in court for sentencing on November 28.
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