News release
Antigonish County District RCMP charge a man for driving offences after fleeing traffic stops
August 7, 2025
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Antigonish County, Nova Scotia
From: Nova Scotia RCMP
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Antigonish County District RCMP has charged a St. Andrews man with several driving-related offences after he fled from attempted traffic stops.
On June 27, officers were investigating a report of a suspected impaired driver around Fraser Mills. An officer located the reported vehicle near Hwy. 316 and Old Pine Vale Rd. and identified the driver. When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle refused to stop and took off at a high rate of speed. In the interest of public safety, a pursuit was not initiated.
On July 8, Antigonish County District RCMP received multiple reports of people operating an ATV and a dirt bike unsafely and on sidewalks in Lower South River. Responding officers observed the vehicles on South River Rd. and identified the drivers, but both vehicles fled the area before police could safely initiate a traffic stop.
During continued patrols that afternoon, officers observed a Honda Civic driven by the men who had previously been operating the ATV. Officers initiated a traffic stop on Johns Pass. The driver again refused to stop and took off at a high rate of speed in a residential neighbourhood. Officers did not initiate a pursuit in the interest of public safety.
Dustin MacDonald, 19, was identified as the driver on June 27 and July 8. Officers made attempts to locate and arrest MacDonald before and after a province-wide arrest warrant was issued.
On July 30, officers safely arrested MacDonald at a store in Antigonish. In addition to charges under the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act, MacDonald is facing the following Criminal Code charges:
- Flight from Peace Officer
- Dangerous Operation (two counts)
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order (three counts)
“The safety risks of fleeing from a traffic stop are significant, as are the consequences,” says S/Sgt. Kim Hillier, Antigonish County District RCMP Commander. “Police will continue to investigate, gathering evidence such as dash cam and surveillance footage and information from witnesses, to locate and charge those who flee with a goal of keeping dangerous behaviour off our streets and roads.”
MacDonald remains in custody, pending future court appearances.
File #s: 2025-907009, 2025-971080