The Associated Press
CALGARY (CP) -- The release from prison of a man with a horrendous driving record has prompted Calgary police to issue a unusual public warning.
“Never before have we issued a warning for strictly driving offences,” said Det. Harv Davies of the high risk offender program, who usually issues public alerts for sex offenders or violent convicts.
Bruce Anthony Johnson, 47, was released from Calgary Remand Centre on Wednesday after serving the full term of his 10-year, six-month and two-day sentence.
Davies called Johnson’s driving record “a real nightmare.”
He was convicted of several charges -- including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving while disqualified -- following a March 1992 crash that killed Rosemary Mills.
He was driving a pickup truck that was pulling a stolen trailer when the trailer came unhitched and veered into oncoming traffic, killing Mills.
“He has 11 counts of driving while disqualified, six counts of dangerous driving and four counts of failing to stop at the scene of an accident,” said Davies, adding his rapsheet also includes impaired driving convictions.
“His reckless actions have resulted in the death of one person and placed numerous other lives in danger ... On several occasions, Johnson has placed the lives of police officers and other persons in danger due to his desire to escape and evade arrest.”
Besides traffic offences, Johnson has been convicted of mischief, pointing a firearm, uttering threats, theft over $1,000, break and enter, eight counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon.
Under the conditions of his probation, Johnson is not allowed to drive, consume or possess alcohol, or frequent businesses that serve liquor.
His driver’s licence has been suspended indefinitely, but he will be able to go before the Alberta driver review board in a year.
Police said they issued the warning to allow people to take suitable precautionary measures and encourage them not to embark on any form of vigilante action.