First of two suspects arrested on Kelowna bridge admits guilt

KELOWNA – One of the two men arrested on the William Bennett Bridge in Kelowna in January pleaded guilty to three of the charges he faces in Kelowna court today.

Michael Dennison, 25, and Ryan Regan, 33, were first pulled over in Penticton on the morning of Jan. 12, but fled the scene in a stolen 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora worth about $400.

After a multi-jurisdictional effort by police from Penticton to Kelowna they were eventually stopped and arrested on the bridge around 11 a.m. The chase involved a police helicopter and a dog team and shut down the Bennett Bridge for more than an hour just after morning rush hour.

Regan pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from a peace officer and assault with a weapon in Kelowna provincial court today, March 16.

Regan still faces charges of failure to stop at an accident, mischief to property over $5,000, assault with a weapon and possession of stolen property over $5,000, however his lawyer said he expects the majority of other charges will be stayed by the crown. For those charges that remain, he elected trial by provincial court judge and will be back in court in May.

Dennison has yet to enter pleas to charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from a peace officer, breach of probation and driving while disqualified.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.