Trial set for prolific offender charged in Kelowna police chase that ended in 4-car collision

A Kelowna resident will face trial by judge-alone this fall in connection witha police chasethat ended in a four-car collision last Septemberjust hours after he was released from jail.

In February, John Michael Aronson was formally charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, flight from policeand breach of probation.

Heremains in custodyand in a wheelchairbecause of injuries sustained during the collision.

Investigators allege Aronson got behind the wheel onSept.2, 2019, while he was prohibited from driving.

When officers attempted to pull his car over, Aronson allegedly led them on a high-speed chase across Kelowna's Bennett Bridge and down Highway 97, reportedly crossing into oncomingtrafficbefore colliding with three other vehicles near Boucherie Road in West Kelowna.

Accused had just finished pleading guilty to earlier 'rampage'

Only hours earlier, Aronson had stood in a Kelowna courtroom to plead guilty to a crime the presiding judge had described as "a rampage."

The plea stemmed from a road rage incident Jan. 22, 2019, in which Aronson bear-sprayed another driver. The following day, RCMP tried to arrest the 31-year-old,sparking adangerous high-speed chase through downtown Kelowna.

After running red lights, with speeds sometimes reaching 100 kilometres an hour, the pursuit ended near Kelowna's popular Orchard Park Mall.

Dozens of police officers and the RCMPEmergency Response Team surrounded the area guns drawn.The high-profile, high-risk public standoff and takedown only ended after police dogs attacked,and RCMP shot Aronson twice.

He was hospitalized and needed more than 140 stitches for his wounds.

Following the incident, the 22 count indictment against Aronson was reduced to six charges in exchange for hisguilty plea and he was sentenced to time served and released.

Among the conditions of his two year probation a prohibition from driving.

A search of Aronson's court file showsmore than 30 criminal convictions, stretching back to 2006, including driving while prohibited, multiple assaultsand resisting arrest.