2 arrested after head-on crash with semi-truck near Chase

Photo: Colin Dacre

A man and woman are in jail after leading police on a wild chase prior to crashing into a semi-truck near Chase, B.C. on Sunday. 

RCMP say they attempted to stop a suspected impaired driver on the Trans Canada Highway near Chase, just after 3 a.m. on March 1.

After the driver failed to stop, the officer pulled over and radioed for help. 

The suspect vehicle was later spotted by RCMP near Shuswap Avenue and Highway 1, swerving all over the roadway travelling in excess of 140 km/hr. 

“Recognizing the possible risk to other motorists, the officer activated his emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle and alert any on-coming traffic,” said S/Sgt. Janelle Shoihet in a news release. 

After the vehicle disappeared around a 90-degree bend, officers discovered it had collided head-on with an on-coming semi-truck. The driver and passenger were already out of the crashed vehicle and trying to flee on foot when police arrived. The truck driver was unhurt.

A 30-year-old woman from Abbotsford was arrested at the scene and a 33-year-old man from Prince George was arrested nearby with the help of a police service dog. No charges have been laid at this point.

"We are thankful that the semi-truck driver, our officers or any other members of the public were not injured as a result of this driver's blatant disregard to anyone's safety," added S/Sgt. Shoihet.