Fleeing driver eludes cops

Photo: Flickr

While the majority of drivers have been behaving themselves in the Chase region this summer, there has been a notable exception.

Between July 22 and Aug. 15, Chase RCMP conducted seven vehicle check stops at random times and locations within Chase, Pritchard, Lee Creek and Seymour Arm.

Police said overall, compliance with the Motor Vehicle Act was high and only a few tickets were issued. However, officers were surprised by one driver who took off at the sight of the police checkpoint.

“A 1993 Honda Prelude approached the stop, then suddenly made a high-speed U-turn and left the area. A search by police finally located the vehicle on an isolated forest service road, with a warm engine, but no driver present,” said Sgt. Gary Heebner in a press release.

“The car was no longer driveable, and the exhaust system had come apart. The interior smelled strongly of liquor. It was believed the driver ran into the heavily forested area."

Police officers called out to the driver in order to transport him back to Seymour Arm for his own safety, however, he would not show himself.

“Another check of the vehicle at 2 a.m. showed that someone, presumably the driver, took out his frustration by smashing the windshield and jumping on the hood and roof. Several beer cans that had not been present earlier now littered the ground around the car. The driver was not present,” said Heebner. “The driver of the Prelude was never identified or located, although the vehicle was somehow removed the next day.”

At the same check stop, police checked a white Chevrolet pick-up truck, and found the male driver displaying symptoms of impairment. The driver provided a breath sample, which showed he had a high enough blood alcohol level to warrant a three-day immediate roadside prohibition.

The truck was uninsured and was towed from the scene.