Court Learns Driver Was Using Drugs During Route 1 Chase

A 25-year-old man involved in a head-on crash on Route 1 last year was being injected with drugs while trying to evade police during a high-speed chase.

The details were revealed Monday during a sentencing hearing for Travis Squires in Saint John provincial court.

Squires pleaded guilty to 12 charges linked to this incident and others, with two new charges added in court on Monday.

Court heard Squires and his passenger, 31-year-old Kory Kinden, were spotted by a Saint John police officer who tried to pull the vehicle over.

Squires crossed the median on Route 1 twice, driving in the wrong direction and causing a head-on collision with a white Bell Aliant van, injuring the driver.

The vehicle had reached speeds of 120 kilometres an hour.

Blood tests indicated both Squires and Kinden were using methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.

In connection with the Oct. 7, 2019, chase and collision, Squires was charged with failing to stop for a peace officer, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and operating a stolen vehicle.

Court also learned the green Silverado truck involved in the crash had been stolen twice and its rear brakes and one front brake were not working at the time.

Squires also pleaded guilty in connection with another chase involving travel on the wrong side of the highway last month.

At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10, police noticed a person driving a stolen 2010 Toyota Corolla who failed to stop. They learned the vehicle was taken from the Esso gas station on Church Avenue West when the owner went inside to pay for gas.

The car was spotted on Gault Road heading onto Route 7, eventually travelling in the wrong direction. Weather conditions were poor at the time with dense fog.

The driver was weaving in and out of traffic. Squires was later arrested in a parking lot on Blue Rock Court.

Provincial court Judge Andrew LeMesurier requested a pre-sentence report in the matter.

He told Squires these are “serious, serious charges” and that he is looking at a “long jail sentence.”

LeMesurier noted he was unfamiliar with Squires and it was in his best interest that he get to know him. He acknowledged Squires is a young man and the need to explore the possibility for rehabilitation.

He noted the dangers Squires’ actions placed the public in and wants to know what brought this on.

A sentencing hearing for Squires is scheduled to resume on Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m.