Police lay racing, dangerous driving charges after deflating truck's tires

MAPLETON – A Vaughan man has been charged with racing and dangerous driving after police had to use a tire deflation device to stop a driver trying to evade police.

On Dec. 19 at about 10pm, a Wellington County OPP officer was on general patrol in the area of Wellington Road 109 in Mapleton.

Police say the officer saw a white pick-up truck speeding and attempting to pass other motor vehicles.

"Two eastbound vehicles were forced to take evasive action by swerving to avoid a head-on collision," police stated in a press release.

"Another officer who was a little further west, observed the white pick-up travelling" in excess of 165km/h, police added.

"A short time later, the same pick-up truck was spotted by a witness and police on Main Street in Palmerston.

"After nearly causing another collision, police measured the vehicle's speed of 115km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone. Police did not pursue the pick-up due to safety concerns."

Shortly thereafter, the suspect vehicle was observed by another officer travelling over 170km/h on Wellington Road 109 at Wellington Road 10 in Mapleton.

The officer deployed a tire deflation device to stop the vehicle and the driver was arrested at the scene.

Vincenzo E. D'Agostino, 52, of Vaughan, was charged with dangerous driving and racing a motor vehicle. He is to appear in Guelph court on Jan. 12.

The vehicle and the driver's licence were seized for a period of seven days.