The Halifax Regional Police reported that a dark-colored Ford F-150, lacking a licence plate, accelerated out of a parking lot in Dartmouth early Saturday. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver ignored the flashing lights and siren, prompting a high-speed pursuit that quickly left the city streets.
According to police statements, the unmarked pickup surged onto the A. Murray Mackay Bridge the key link between Dartmouth and the Halifax peninsula. While still in pursuit, the truck collided with another vehicle at a busy intersection, an event investigators are now classifying as a potential hit-and-run.
Collision and immediate fallout
When the police vehicle activated its emergency signals, the suspect vehicle failed to yield and instead rammed a second car travelling through the cross-road. The impact was severe enough to halt traffic and summon emergency responders. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 58-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the black Ford careening off the road before disappearing onto the bridge. The truck continued across the span and vanished from view, eluding the police unit that was in hot pursuit. No other vehicles reported involvement, and the suspect driver remains at large.
Victim’s condition and community response
The injured driver, whose identity has not been released, was stabilized at the hospital and is currently listed in serious condition. Family members and friends have expressed shock, noting the driver’s routine commute through the intersection each day. Local residents voiced concern over the safety of the A. Murray Mackay Bridge after hearing about the reckless escape.
Community leaders have called for heightened traffic monitoring on the bridge, emphasizing the need for swift action to prevent similar incidents. The event has reignited discussions about the importance of mandatory licence-plate checks and rapid response protocols for high-speed chases in urban areas.
Investigation and oversight
Following the incident, the case was escalated to Nova Scotia’s police watchdog, which will conduct an independent review of the police response and the circumstances surrounding the alleged hit-and-run. Additionally, the province’s Serious Incident Response Team has been tasked with examining the broader implications of the chase, including potential policy revisions.
Authorities continue to search for the missing black Ford, deploying aerial units and roadblocks along likely routes. Police urge anyone with information to come forward, stressing that locating the driver is vital for both public safety and the administration of justice.
