Hit & Run Joseph BEST Arrested
Source: OPP
Date: Tue Mar 4 10:39:28 MST 2025
On February 28, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of an unwanted person at a residence in Espanola, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant. When police arrived on scene, they observed a vehicle leave the address at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then failed to stop for police. Shortly after, police came across a single vehicle collision on Highway 6. The same vehicle was in the ditch, and the driver had fled from the vehicle on foot.
With assistance from the United Chief and Councils of Manitoulin Police Service Commission (UCCM) Canine Unit, and the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), the driver was located and arrested. The driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
As a result, Joseph BEST, 38-years-old from Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Township, was charged with:
Operation while impaired
Flight from peace officer
Dangerous operation
Fail to remain
Drive motor vehicle no licence
Driver fail to properly wear seatbelt
The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on February 28, 2025, and was remanded into custody.