Two Durham police officers were injured early Monday after a Tesla SUV allegedly reversed into them and fled the scene during an investigation in Oshawa.
The incident unfolded around 1 a.m. on Sept. 22 after officers conducting proactive patrols noticed an Acura sedan speeding without its headlights on near Simcoe Street North.
Police attempted to pull the Acura over, but the driver allegedly took off. Officers later located the vehicle abandoned in a residential driveway and say they found its driver hiding in a backyard.
According to police, the man was already subject to conditions that barred him from driving and required him to remain at his residence overnight. A replica firearm and drugs were also allegedly discovered inside the Acura.
While officers were dealing with that investigation, another vehicle entered the area. Police say the Tesla was travelling at a high rate of speed before stopping near the officers.
Investigators allege officers approached the Tesla to speak with its driver, who then put the SUV into reverse and struck two officers. The vehicle subsequently left the area.
One officer was hospitalized with serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The other officer sustained minor injuries, and both were treated at hospital.
Police have identified the Tesla driver as 23-year-old Yaseen Waggan of Ajax. He is currently wanted on a series of charges, including dangerous operation, flight from police, assault causing bodily harm, failing to identify himself, failing to remain at the scene and two alleged breaches of a release order.
Update – The Tesla driver, Yaseen Waggan, turned himself in to police on October 1 and was arrested without incident. Waggan faces charges including dangerous operation, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, failing to stop for police, failing to remain at the scene, failing to identify himself to police, and three counts of failing to comply with release orders.