A man faces a dozen charges, including criminal negligence causing bodily harm and vehicle theft, after a police chase Saturday that ended with an injured officer and a partial closure of the busy QEW.

It all started when an OPP officer saw a 2011 Saturn illegally driving in a high occupancy vehicle lane near Ford Drive in Oakville around 9 a.m. Saturday, according to a police statement.

When the driver wouldn’t stop, the officer relayed that information to other officers. Another OPP officer in Mississauga spotted the vehicle and tried to stop it.

That led to a collision with a “civilian vehicle,” which then collided with a police car, sending an OPP officer to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Saturn’s driver lost control of the vehicle and ditched the car near Dixie Road, fleeing on foot. He was apprehended around 10 a.m. Saturday with the help of Peel Regional Police’s K-9 unit.

Dillon Benzies, 22, of Toronto, is charged with:

  • Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm
  • Theft of a Vehicle Worth More Than $5,000.
  • Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm
  • Flight While Being Pursued by a Peace Officer
  • Flight Causing Bodily Harm While Being Pursued by Peace Officer
  • Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Accident
  • Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Involving Bodily Harm
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Over $5,000
  • Breaking and Entering a Dwelling House with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence
  • Improper Use of a High Occupancy Vehicle Lane
  • Class G1 Licence Holder Driving on Prohibited Highway
  • Class G1 Licence Holder Driving Unaccompanied by a Qualified Driver

The eastbound lanes of the Queen Elizabeth Highway were closed at Cawthra and Hurontario for much of Saturday.