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Stolen car chase down ice road Dettah man sentenced for leading RCMP on dangerous pursuit
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, August 2, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A 24-year-old man from Dettah was sentenced to 60 days in jail for leading police on an alcohol-fuelled, stolen-vehicle chase down the Dettah ice road in February.
During the early morning hours of Feb. 16, Matthew Stiopu was trying to find a way back home to Dettah after a night of drinking. A man, who was not known to Stiopu, offered him a ride in his SUV.
As they drove across the ice road to Dettah, Stiopu became angry about a comment the driver made. The driver pulled over and Stiopu attempted to rob him, pushed the victim out of his vehicle and drove away. The victim, left alone on the ice road, called RCMP as Stiopu headed to Dettah.
Stiopu then pulled the SUV around, back toward the victim. He screamed at the victim, told him to get back in the vehicle and chased him on foot for a time.
When RCMP arrived with lights flashing, Stiopu took off toward Dettah again. He reached speeds of 80 to 110 kilometres per hour, more than double the posted limit of 40 kilometres per hour. The RCMP pursued Stiopu for two kilometres, observing him lose control and swerve across the ice road.
After two kilometres, Stiopu stopped and turned the stolen vehicle around toward the pursuing RCMP, who attempted to block his path.
Stiopu rammed the front end of an RCMP patrol vehicle as he careened through the barricade.
Heading toward Yellowknife Bay, Stiopu decided to turn around yet again, toward pursuing RCMP.
He swerved left and right, avoiding the RCMP, and headed back to Dettah.
Stiopu finally came to a stop near the shore of Great Slave Lake, after he drove over the ice road's snowbank and became stuck on the uncleared surface of the lake.
RCMP arrested Stiopu at gunpoint as he attempted to free the stuck SUV from the snow.
Stiopu spoke before his sentencing, stating his troubled childhood and difficulty with alcohol on occasion.
"I slipped up. I know I slipped up really bad," Stiopu said. "I'm here to take responsibility. If I have to go to jail, I agree with that."
Stiopu apologized for leading police on the chase and the harm he did to the victim.
Part of Stiopu's sentence will be served intermittently, 10 days at a time in jail, to allow him to continue to work and support his family. He'll also serve nine months at his home under a strict curfew and prohibition from drinking.
After his sentence, Stiopu will be on probation for one year. He will also be required to complete 50-hours community service and attend counselling.
Although Stiopu has a prior conviction for impaired driving, he was described in court as a hard worker who is gainfully employed and supports his children and father. He hunts and fishes and provides food for elders in his community and those who cannot work on the land.
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