Clearwater RCMP report that on Monday morning, July 24, police were patrolling Highway 5 near Clearwater when they observed a grey Mazda vehicle with two occupants traveling southbound. The vehicle was registered out of Kamloops.
Police pulled the vehicle over to identify the female driver and to ensure she had a valid driver’s license. The driver was identified as a person well known to police and was found to be prohibited from driving.
The male passenger gave false name and then ran from police. The passenger was caught after a short foot chase down the highway and arrested for obstruction and flight from police.
A search of vehicle located a loaded 358 Smith and Wesson revolver and small .25 calibre Colt handgun. A small amount of drugs was also located.
Both were arrested and held for numerous firearms related offenses, breach of probation and possession of heroin.
Trucker dumps grain
On July 25 at approximately 2:30 p.m., Clearwater police were contacted by Valemount RCMP and advised of a commercial vehicle tractor-trailer unit that had dumped grain (barley) on Highway 5 and was believed to be southbound toward Clearwater.
Police located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop with it on Highway 5 near Joyce Lane in Clearwater.
The driver was identified and was the only occupant.
The driver subsequently admitted to dumping grain due to concern about being overweight.
Police charged the driver for cargo securement and failing to produce registration for trailers.
Domestic assault results in charges
Early Thursday morning, July 27, Clearwater RCMP received a report from the Clearwater hospital of a domestic assault victim on the way to the hospital by ambulance.
Police responded and obtained evidence supporting several charges against the victim’s partner for an assault that had occurred the previous evening.
The suspect was arrested later that day and held in police custody to be brought before the courts.
The victim was seen by the doctor and released within a few hours.
Grassfire in Vavenby
On July 27, around 3 p.m., Clearwater RCMP received an abandoned 911 call originating from Vavenby.
On callback, police were told that a fire had started near the CN tracks in Vavenby and that the caller had been able to reach the local fire department.
Police responded and were able to confirm with CN and Vavenby fire department there had been a report of a grassfire started by a train where the tracks enter the sawmill property.
Vavenby fire department had been able to douse the fire quickly with assistance from workers from the sawmill.
Driver charged with impaired after crash
On July 28, around 2:30 p.m., RCMP received a report of a single vehicle rollover collision involving a possible impaired driver on Ridge Drive in Clearwater.
Police responded and located the driver a short distance from the crash.
The driver was detained for an impaired driving investigation and was subsequently issued a driving prohibition for 90 days.
The driver was also issued violation tickets relating to licensing and for the collision, which caused damage to a tree in a private yard as well as some minor damage to a house.
The vehicle, which appeared to be totaled, was impounded for 30 days.
Weaving all over the road
On July 29, at 2:30 p.m., Clearwater RCMP received a complaint of a grey car coming into Clearwater on Highway 5 from the north. The vehicle had a Saskatchewan marker and was weaving all over the road.
Police had received a notification from Valemount RCMP earlier in the day regarding a grey car with a Saskatchewan marker heading toward Clearwater driving all over the road
They had also received a Clearwater traffic complaint regarding a grey car with a Saskatchewan marker all over the road and speeding excessively only a few minutes prior.
Police located the vehicle on Highway 5 near Bain Road. The driver was identified as the registered owner of the vehicle and was the only occupant.
The driver admitted to drinking while driving and smelled of liquor. The driver also admitted to having no insurance.
The driver was subsequently issued a 90-day driving prohibition plus violation tickets relating to insurance and driving behavior.
The vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Semi crash by Little Fort
July 29 at 7 p.m., Clearwater RCMP received a report of a tractor-trailer collision on Highway 24 near Lemieux Creek northeast of Little Fort.
It was reported that the vehicle was blocking traffic on the highway. Fire and BC Ambulance were also requested.
The tractor and trailer were demolished, blocking eastbound traffic at the bottom of the Highway 24 hill. The driver was uninjured.
Highway maintenance and a representative from Ministry of Environment attended due to the vehicle’s load being spilled into the creek.
Impaired driving nets 24-hour suspension
On July 29 shortly after midnight police were patrolling on Birch Island-Lost Creek Road between Birch Island and Vavenby for impaired drivers.
A southbound vehicle was observed and stopped. There were two occupants in the vehicle. Police noted a strong odor of liquor coming from the vehicle.
Open liquor was plainly observed at the feet of the passenger, who was then issued a violation ticket for open liquor in a motor vehicle.
The driver provided a sample of breath upon demand and was found to be just under the limit for a three-day immediate roadside prohibition, but over the limit to be allowed to drive.
As such, the driver was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and the vehicle was impounded for 24 hours as well. The two occupants were provided a ride home due to the remote location.
Extra enforcement due to closure
For much of July Highway 97 was closed due to the forest fires burning in the Cariboo. Highway 5 was the only major north-south highway in British Columbia.
Police were asked to make additional patrols along the highway and, as much as possible, ensure the highway remained safe for all the added traffic that would be traveling due to evacuations and forest fire fighting efforts.
Preliminary counts of violation tickets and warnings issued by police show:
• Moving (includes speeding and excessive speed, unsafe passing, driving without due care, etc.) – 169
• Non-moving (includes license, insurance, registration, vehicle condition, etc.) – 45
• Seat-belts – 10
• Cellphone – two
