The accused was charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, and assault on a police officer following an incident in Guelph on December 13, 2012.
The Crown alleged the accused squealed his tires, failed to stop for police, and fled at high speed through city streets.
The accused testified he was unaware of the officer's presence until the officer approached with a drawn firearm at an intersection, at which point he panicked and fled.
The court found the accused's evidence credible and accepted that he was listening to music with earbuds and did not perceive the officer's initial attempts to stop him.
The court dismissed the assault charge during trial.
On the remaining charges, the court found the Crown had not proven the essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt, particularly regarding the mens rea for dangerous driving and the intent to evade for flight from police.
The court found the accused acted instinctively out of fear when confronted with an aggressively presented firearm, and that a reasonable person in his circumstances would have perceived an imminent threat.
