A York Regional Police officer has been found guilty of failing to stop after an accident and render assistance in connection with a 2019 collision that left a motorcyclist seriously injured.
Const. Nathan Coates was acquitted of impaired driving causing bodily harm and dangerous driving causing bodily harm, according to a York Regional Police news release. A charge of over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood was previously withdrawn in June 2022.
However, in Newmarket court on Thursday, Nov. 3, Justice Jonathan Dawes found Coates guilty of two other charges related to the serious collision that occurred Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, just after 7:15 p.m., on Highway 7, near York Durham Line.
When YRP officers arrived, they found a motorcycle that had been struck by a vehicle that had left the scene. The driver was taken to hospital with serious life-altering injuries, police said.
Officers located a Nissan Pathfinder involved in the collision a few kilometres away and arrested the off-duty officer, police said.
Coates, who has been a member of York force since 2005, was assigned to uniform patrol, working out of the Whitchurch-Stouffville community substation. He has been suspended with pay since his arrest.
He may be subject to additional charges under the Police Services Act, following the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, police said.
His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2023 in Newmarket.
