A man accused of forcing a carload of teenagers off the road and into the ocean off Pouch Cove has pleaded not guilty to the dozen charges he’s facing.

Twenty-three-year-old Ray O’Keefe faces five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of assault with a weapon, namely his vehicle, dangerous driving, and failing to stop after an accident.

It’s believed O’Keefe and the five people in the other car were previously known to each other.The shocking incident happened in the early-morning darkness of November 11th, 2023.

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 in Pouch Cove.

Fortunately, all five were able to get out and safely scramble to shore, cold and wet but otherwise unscathed.

Their car, however, was left a demolished wreck on the rocky shoreline.

The four-day trial is set for May 20-23 in provincial court.