Jail time for Vancouver man who sped away from traffic stop, dragging officer

Tobin Peter Haas, 57, was reportedly pulled over by an RCMP traffic enforcement officer in Delta, B.C., around 10:30 a.m. Saturday because Haas was already wanted on a province-wide warrant for his arrest. After the brief roadside stop, Haas reportedly fled the scene, striking the officer with his vehicle (RCMP)

A 57-year-old Vancouver man has been sentenced to 12 and a half months in jail over a 2024 incident that left a B.C. Highway Patrol officer with serious injuries.

Tobin Haas pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm and driving while suspended back in March of this year. He received his sentence last month, according to a statement issued by the BCHP Wednesday.

The charges stemmed from a Feb. 17, 2024, traffic stop in Delta. Around 10:30 that morning, a BCHP officer stopped a grey Nissan on Highway 91 near 72 Avenue because the driver “was suspected of having an outstanding arrest warrant,” police said.

Haas was alone in the car, according to police. When the officer asked him for his driver’s licence, Haas “sped away from the scene, dragging the police officer,” the BCHP said.

“Our investigators reviewed CCTV, checked police radio recordings, wrote search warrants, and took witness statements, including from the officer who was hurt,” said Sgt. Michael McLaughlin, in the statement.

“If you get stopped by the police, do not make a bad day worse by fleeing the scene.”

In addition to the charges he pleaded guilty to, Haas was also charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Those two charges were stayed, according to online court records.

In addition to his jail time, Haas received an additional three-year driving prohibition and a two-year probation order, the BCHP said.

“When you get pulled over by police, it’s almost certain that we already have you recorded on camera,” said McLaughlin. “It’s safer for everyone if you wait for the court process to contest the charges against you.”