Forty-three-year-old Michael Efford of Bay Roberts is charged with a number of criminal offences after he fled from police on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in Spaniard's Bay on April 13, 2021.
At approximately 4:00 p.m., an officer with RCMP Traffic Services East was parked on the side of the road conducting traffic enforcement and observed a side-by-side ATV travelling at a high rate of speed on Route 70. The officer attempted to pull the ATV over, but the driver refused to stop and fled from police, nearly causing a head-on collision. Other motorists had to pull to the shoulder of the road to avoid a collision. In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue the ATV. A number of reports from the public were then received about an ATV matching this one, stating it was driving in a dangerous manner, prior to being observed by police on Route 70.
The driver of the ATV was identified as Michael Efford. He was located a short time later at his residence by Bay Roberts RCMP. Efford was arrested and is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, and driving while suspended. The ATV, which was hidden in a nearby wooded area, was seized and impounded by police.
Efford was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in Harbour Grace Provincial Court on June 16, 2021.
In 2020, 17 people died while on off-road vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador. RCMP NL remains dedicated to road safety and the safe operation of all off-road vehicles.