RCMP in the Battlefords have arrested and charged a 22-year-old man in connection with an incident in which a driver allegedly fled from police at dangerous speeds.

On Saturday, Feb. 21, at around 11 a.m., officers with the Battlefords RCMP were alerted to a vehicle travelling at high speeds on Highway 29.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused and fled, reaching speeds of up to 176 km/h.

Officers followed the vehicle at a safe speed and distance. According to RCMP the vehicle turned onto a rural road and continued to travel at dangerous speeds despite winter road conditions.

More officers responded and spotted the vehicle back on Highway 29 travelling south, before turning onto a rural road with a dead end.

RCMP then set up a spike strip at the intersection of Highway 29 and the rural road and waited for the suspect.

The suspect returned to the intersection and promptly ran over the spike strip. The vehicle veered off the road and stopped near a frozen body of water, according to police.

Three men got out of the vehicle. Two were arrested without incident while a third fled officers on foot – running towards the middle of the frozen body of water.

Officers caught up to the suspect and arrested him where he was later identified as the driver.

As a result of the ensuing investigation, the 22-year-old from Saltcoats faces five charges. They include fleeing police, operating a motor vehicle while impaired, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80mg per 100 ml of blood, resisting a peace officer and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The accused made his first appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court on Monday.

The two passengers were released without charges.