deadmonton - thomas george svekla - 2004 hit and run

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On the evening of November 26th, 2004 Thomas Svekla was directed to pull over at a police CheckStop at the intersection of 113th Street and 64th Avenue. He was driving driving a 1987 Buick LeSabre which was later determined to be stolen.


Svekla initially stopped, but then took off after being asked to provide his documents. Police engaged in a pursuit with lights and sirens activated but Svekla managed to outrun them.


Police terminated the chase after Svekla turned east at the intersection of 114th Street and University Avenue. It was there he collided with two vehicles, injuring both drivers.


Svekla's Buick was still operable and the man kept going, driving the wrong way down University Avenue before he struck a pickup truck. The man continued going the wrong way, drove onto a sidewalk and stopped when he hit a University of Alberta sign.


As he fled on foot, witnesses saw Svekla run into an apartment building and they informed police.



On May 12th, 2006 Svekla appeared in court to face ten charges including dangerous driving, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, criminal flight from police, criminal flight from police causing bodily harm and hit and run


Svekla was set to appear in court on June 2nd to set trial dates for the driving charges.


Unlike his appearance the day before in Fort Saskatchewan, Svekla's demeanor was subdued.



On June 2nd, 2006 Svekla appeared in court to set trial dates for the driving charges. However, his lawyer applied for more time to consider an offer made by the Crown prosecutor's office.


No details were released regarding the offer.


The case was to continue on June 16th.



On December 15th, 2006 Thomas Svekla pleaded guilty to evading police, dangerous driving, possession of a stolen car and three counts of hit and run.


He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and was also banned from driving for three years.


Crown prosecutor Tania Sarkar said the police chase was aggravating due to the fact Svekla was driving at excessive speeds and going the wrong way down a busy University-area street on a Friday night.


“It was simply a miracle that nobody was killed in any of these collisions,” said Sarkar, adding that eyewitnesses described the scene as “something out of a movie.”


Before being sentenced, Svekla apologised.


“I wish I could change what happened that day, but I can't,” said Svekla. “I'm deeply sorry.”


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