A driver in a lifted white Chevy truck fled the scene after being pulled over by police for reportedly doing donuts near Fernie’s boat launch and nearly hitting a family.
Elk Valley RCMP officials said an officer saw the truck driving dangerously shortly after 6:30 p.m. last Monday.
The officer found the driver in James White Park and pulled him over.
The driver initially complied, but it seemed as though he changed his mind.
“While completing checks on the vehicle, the driver pulled away slowly from the original vehicle stop, waving his arm out the window while looking back at the officer,” said Elk Valley RCMP officials. “The licence was observed and is known to police. Clear identification of the driver was not made during the vehicle stop.”
Police officials said the driver slowly travelled a short distance before the officer turned on the sirens to get his attention.
The driver then sped off, and the officer did not pursue him. According to officials, the officer did not believe the driver was going to stop for him.
“As the officer waited on site, two more calls were received about the dangerous driving behaviour of the man in the white Chevy,” said Elk Valley RCMP. “The truck was not located that evening again.”
The next day, Elk Valley RCMP investigated a worksite near Elko just before 9 a.m. to investigate a report of an impaired driver.
Police said the officer confirmed that the driver was in a white Chevy with a matching license plate from the night before and surveillance footage was obtained.
According to the RCMP, the driver had some medical concerns and was taken for treatment at Fernie Hospital.
“Upon attending the hospital, it was learned the driver had consumed drugs prior to driving the Chevy to work. The officer followed through by giving the man a 24-hour prohibition related to drug use,” said Elk Valley RCMP. “The 37-year-old local man denied driving the vehicle but was then presented with surveillance indicating otherwise, at which point he accepted the 24-hour suspension.”
The officer inspected the vehicle and determined it to be unsafe for the road and it was taken for further review before being returned.
Police officials believe the man driving the truck is the same person from the prior evening, and further charges may be coming to the driver or registered owner of the truck.
Anyone with information is asked to come forward and contact Elk Valley RCMP at 250-425-6233 or BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) and reference file number 2023-1172.