A man who faced numerous charges after an incident on an area highway in September pleaded guilty in Red Deer court on Monday and was sentenced to four years in prison.

William Joel Cameron of Red Deer pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, flight from police and possession of a stolen vehicle.

At 10 p.m. on Sept. 23rd, a Blackfalds RCMP officer on patrol observed a speeding vehicle driving in the northbound lanes of the QEII Hwy. Upon witnessing the vehicle nearly sideswipe another northbound vehicle the officer activated his emergency lights in an attempt to pull the vehicle over. It did not stop and proceeded at high speeds into Lacombe.

There, the RCMP officer lost sight of the vehicle which went on to hit a pedestrian. Officers from the Lacombe Police Service attended to assist the 22-year-old woman who was airlifted to hospital in Edmonton with serious injuries.

The vehicle did not stop after it hit the woman. The RCMP officer continued his efforts to locate the vehicle and did so when it came to a stop on Lakeside Sargent Road in the rural outskirts of Lacombe. The adult male driver of the vehicle and two male young persons were taken into custody.

The victim has been identified as Leah Cobetto, 22, of Lacombe. As a result of her injuries, one of her legs had to be amputated.

Cameron pleaded guilty to his charges in court on Monday and the defense and crown prosecutor jointly submitted he be sentenced to four years in prison.

The judge accepted the submission.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com