Charges have been laid against an Alberta man who allegedly tried to outrun police while driving a backhoe early Tuesday morning on the Trans-Canada Highway.
RCMP say 27-year-old Thomas Therrien Chiasson has been charged with seven offences including impaired driving, refusing a breathalyzer, possession of stolen property and trying to evade police.
RCMP Cst. Derek Black says police were called around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday about a backhoe that was impeding traffic on Highway 2 west of Frederiction.
The driver was travelling about 10 kilometres per hour with no lights on and refused to stop, Black says.
He says the backhoe was finally stopped near exit 253 in Prince William with a spike-belt.
Police say alcohol is believed to have been a factor.
Black says the backhoe damaged some asphalt and a number of guardrails over a distance of about 15 kilometres.
Ross Mathers, general manager of Maritime Road Development Corp., the private company that maintains that section of highway, says there is damage in about 10 locations.
Damage is estimated at about $15,000 and he says repairs have begun.
The backhoe was also damaged.
Chiasson appeared in Fredericton provincial court on Tuesday, before being remanded into custody until his bail hearing the following day.
With files from The Canadian Press
