A young man was fined over $4,000 for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving with no insurance.
Tyler Merkowsky, 20, appeared in the Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Friday, February 9. He was facing several charges related to driving events on June 20 of last year. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and having no insurance.
The court heard that Merkowsky was driving erratically on Highway 9 near Horseshoe Canyon. He cut off another vehicle at a high rate of speed and then put on his brakes in front of the other driver. He then rolled down his window, making the other driver feel threatened. The driving pattern continued from Horseshoe Canyon to the Drumheller penitentiary. He continued to follow the other vehicle into Drumheller.
The other driver called the RCMP, and police identified his vehicle and attempted a stop. Merkowsky fled and RCMP did not pursue. His vehicle later crashed on Bridge Street and ended up in the ditch. The driver fled the scene.
Upon investigating the vehicle police discovered open and closed liquor as well as cannabis and a machete. They also discovered the vehicle was not insured.
Merkowsky later turned himself in and he has no previous record.
He was fined $2,500 for the dangerous driving, plus the victim fines surcharge and $2,000 for the no insurance ticket. He was also suspended from driving for one year.