Driver charged after allegedly speeding through Sask. construction zone

A flag person reportedly had to dodge a truck that police claim sped through a construction zone Thursday afternoon on Highway 10.

In a media release Friday, the RCMP said an officer from the Fort Qu’Appelle detachment was stopped at a construction zone just west of the Edgeley turnoff on Highway 10 when a truck pulled out to pass.

The truck passed a number of vehicles — including the Mountie’s vehicle — just as they were starting to drive into the construction zone. The police officer turned on their lights and sirens, but the truck sped away.

According to the RCMP, one of the flag persons in the construction zone “had to move for their safety” as the truck went by.

Officers from the White Butte RCMP detachment subsequently found the truck and pulled it over on the Trans-Canada Highway just west of the White City overpass.

A 54-year-old man from the Fort Qu’Appelle area was arrested and charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance, flight from a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer, and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was to appear in Regina Provincial Court on Friday.

“This incident occurred in a construction zone — placing the safety of both construction workers and all other motorists who were stopped at risk,” Staff Sgt. Jason Sauve, the commander of the White Butte RCMP detachment, said in the release.

“We want the people who witnessed this incident to know the individual was located by police and charged. We all must work together to ensure the safety of those working in construction zones — please slow down.”