Medical issue may be to blame for assault

The Crown has dropped charges against a man accused of assaulting paramedics and a police officer, saying a medical condition may have been to blame for his behaviour.

Crown prosecutor Tom Buglas said Thursday he stayed the four charges against Kent Douglas Wilson after reviewing the evidence.

“After review of the pre- and post-incident medical materials concerning Mr. Wilson, the Crown cannot rule out the real possibility that Mr. Wilson’s alleged driving and subsequent actions were the direct result of a medical event,” Buglas said in a statement.

But Buglas said the city man won’t be allowed behind the wheel unless he can establish it’s safe for him to be driving.

“Mr. Wilson has lost the right to drive unless or until he and his doctors show the driving authorities that his medical condition no longer presents a safety concern,” Buglas said.

Wilson, 53, was charged earlier this year following an incident on Deerfoot Trail that injured two paramedics and a police officer.

Witnesses reported seeing an SUV swerving into the median and colliding with vehicles May 29, before emergency personnel arrived.

Police said several paramedics and firefighters were involved in a struggle with the SUV driver.

During the altercation, police say three officers discharged stun guns. Officers removed the man from the vehicle, and he was restrained and sedated.

Wilson was subsequently charged with assault, assault causing bodily harm, assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest.