One person is in custody after being tackled to the ground by a bystander following a collision in Barrie’s south end that resulted in police blocking a section of road Monday afternoon. Police say an officer on patrol noticed a man get into a vehicle and “suspiciously drive away” from an Essa Road plaza. The officer followed the vehicle and say it failed to stop for traffic lights at Tiffin Street, so the officer attempted a traffic stop. Police say the vehicle entered the intersection and struck a truck, a curb and then rolled before coming to rest on its tires. The driver then tried to flee the scene, but police say he didn’t get far and was tackled to the ground by a bystander who jumped in to help officers. “The quick-thinking actions of this young man, and his ability to assist in the arrest helped to remove an individual from our streets who was engaging in not only illegal activity, but in an activity that compromises the safety of our community,” Barrie Police Services Corporate Communications Coordinator Peter Leon stated in a Tuesday release. The accused, suspected of drug trafficking, was allegedly found in possession of what’s believed to be cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis. Access to Tiffin Street at Anne and Innisfil streets and Essa Road was blocked by police cruisers shortly after 3 p.m. for the investigation. Images from the scene show a banged up silver vehicle and a junk removal truck within the road closure. The accused, a 29-year-old man from Scarborough, faces drug-related offences, along with failing to comply with a release order, dangerous operation, fight from an officer, and failing to stop after an accident.
