Police say driver of stolen U-Haul truck hit 10 vehicles, including 5 police cars

Calgary police have arrested a man after the driver of a U-Haul truck sped through the city, ran red lights, drove into oncoming traffic and hit 10 vehicles, including five police cars, early Thursday morning. 

Police were called at about 4:30 a.m. after the driver of the truck hit a vehicle near the intersection of 52nd Street and Peigan Trail S.E., according to police.

"The officers were fortunate and were not seriously injured," said Staff Sgt. Mark England. "But it's always very serious when a driver runs into police vehicles instead of stopping."

Police said the attack was not targeted.

The driver fled the scene. Police then received multiple calls reporting of the truck — initially identified by police as a cube van — driving into oncoming traffic, speeding and running red lights.

Police attempted a traffic stop, but the driver did not pull over. Officers followed the vehicle, attempting to stop it, until the driver evaded police on the northeast portion of McKnight Boulevard just before 6 a.m.

Det. Paul Teworte says some officers later needed to be checked at the hospital, although none suffered major injuries.

The man was taken into custody near Centre Street and 38th Avenue N.E. around 6:30 a.m. after finding the parked truck, thanks in part to tips from the public.

Police have not yet publicly identified the man who was arrested.

Officers don't yet know how many vehicles were involved or how much damage was caused.

Police said Thursday morning that they didn't yet know why the vehicle was being driven dangerously but there is nothing to suggest that the driver was intentionally trying to harm anyone. 

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact investigators through the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.