A man accused of forcing a carload of young people into the ocean off Pouch Cove last year is mulling over how to plead in the case.
It happened in the early-morning darkness of Nov. 11, Remembrance Day, last year.
Police first described it as “an interaction” between two vehicles, just before 4:30 a.m., with one of them going off the road and splash-landing in the ocean near the slipway.
Words such as lucky, fortunate and miraculous have been used to describe the fact that all five were able to get out and scramble to shore before being pulled under or swept out to sea. They were left cold and wet but otherwise unscathed.
The car itself was left a demolished wreck on the rocky shoreline.
Two days later, Ray O’Keefe of Pouch Cove, now 22, was arrested and charged with five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of assault with a weapon, namely his vehicle, dangerous driving, and failing to stay at the scene.
It’s believed the accused and those in the car did know each other before the incident.
This morning O’Keefe’s lawyer, Jeff Brace, said he now has all the Crown evidence in the case, and is awaiting their so-called “best offer” before discussing with his client how to proceed.
That should be revealed when the case is called again next month.