High speed is believed to be the cause of a single-vehicle crash that killed a 32-year-old Abbotsford man Saturday night in Langley.
RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen said three witnesses at the scene stated they saw Jeremy Joseph Pinette, 32, travelling at about 160 km/h before his green Dodge Viper entered the grassy median on Highway 1 at 248 Street. The vehicle rolled over and pinned him, killing him instantly.
Pinette was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Thiessen said a Langley RCMP officer had first seen the Viper just before 10 p.m. travelling west on 56 Avenue towards 264 Street in Aldergrove.
The officer turned around and activated his emergency lights, but the Viper was no longer in sight. The officer turned off his emergency equipment and did not pursue the car, Thiessen said.
He then headed west along Highway 1 and noticed traffic slowing at around 248 Street, where the Viper could be seen upside down in a ditch.
Lower Mainland District Port Mann Traffic Services was dispatched to the scene.
Media reports indicate Pinette was a Hells Angels associate who grew up in Langley but had been living in Abbotsford in recent years.
Thiessen said police were aware in 2008, during 25th anniversary celebrations of several Hells Angels chapters, that Pinette was involved with the organization at some level.
However, he said he did not know whether Pinette was still affiliated just prior to his death and to what degree.
Pinette did not have a criminal record, according to the provincial court database, but had been charged with a dozen driving offences since 2002 including speeding, and driving without due care and attention.
When contacted by the Abbotsford News, Pinette’s father, Roger, declined to comment.
Any witnesses to the accident who haven’t yet spoken with police are asked to contact Const. Becker at Port Mann Traffic Services, 604-526-9744.
