The two runaway brothers who took part in a police chase between Notre-Dame-du-Portage and Cacouna on September 7 have pleaded guilty to various charges against them. The driver of the vehicle, Whyatt Leslie Cook of Gatineau, received a five-month prison sentence with a remaining sentence of 96 days.
He was charged with fleeing, dangerous driving and obstructing the work of police officers. Whyatt Leslie Cook must also comply with a two-year suspended sentence and a one-year driving ban, which apply across Canada. Justice Luce Kennedy could not suspend his driver’s license because it was issued in Ontario.
His brother Robert Logan Cook, who was a passenger in the police chase, must undergo a two-year suspended sentence. He pleaded guilty to charges of threatening to kill or cause bodily harm and obstructing the work of police officers. Robert Logan Cook must complete 50 hours of community service within one year. The defendants were both in custody for 54 days, which played a role in the sentence Judge Luce Kennedy imposed on them.
SUMMARY OF FACTS
On September 7, at approximately 2 p.m., Sûreté du Québec police officers on patrol noticed a Hyundai Tucson traveling at an excessive speed (130 km/h) on Highway 20 in Notre-Dame-du-Portage.
They tried to intercept him, but instead of stopping, the driver began acting dangerously. He overtook three vehicles on the left shoulder. His speed increased and the SQ police officers called for reinforcements. Prosecutor Manon Gaudreault said the estimated speed of the (suspected stolen) vehicle reached more than 200 km/h during the police pursuit.
The driver took exit 503 of Highway 20 to enter the town of Rivière-du-Loup and continued on Fraser Street. An attempt by the police to intercept the offending vehicle in the roundabout was unsuccessful.
The two perpetrators then continued on Route 132 towards Cacouna. The police temporarily lost sight of the fleeing vehicle. The latter was located by a police officer at the foot of a field on Rue des Étangs. Both people were outside the vehicle. When they heard the police sirens, they returned to the SUV and tried to escape again. “The driver lost control, which ended the pursuit. In this way the police managed to get their hands on the two defendants,” explained Me Gaudreault.
The vehicle came to rest on its side in the ditch. Both defendants were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Robert Logan Cook made death threats against a police officer there on September 8th. The defendants were represented by Me Félix Pouliot.
Charges have been filed in Gatineau County Court for the theft of the Hyundai Tucson vehicle involved in this police chase.
» Read also: Police chase from Rivière-du-Loup to Cacouna