100 Mile RCMP responded to 80 complaints and calls for service during the past week.
Prohibited driving
On Dec. 12, 100 Mile House RCMP were responded to a call about a vehicle in the ditch near Lac Ia Hache on Highway 97.
The occupants of the vehicle appeared to be arguing at the side of the road. The male operator appeared to have consumed liquor. The female passenger was still on scene when police arrived.
She was not co-operative. Her common-law husband was located nearby.
Witnesses confirmed the identity of the driver who was determined to be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle both under the Motor Vehicle Act and under the Criminal Code.
The male was arrested and returned to the 100 Mile House RCMP Detachment. While en route to 100 Mile House, the male made threats against the investigating officer. He was held in cells until sober.
A total of 11 charges, including several driving offences, assault and uttering threats have been recommended to Crown against a 47-year-old Lac la Hache man.
This same male had been convicted of refusing to provide a breath sample from an impaired driving investigation in 2011 and was serving a 60-day weekend sentence.
Backhoe problems
On Dec. 11, 100 Mile RCMP responded to a report that a male driving a backhoe had left Highway 24 near High Country Road in Bridge Lake.
It appeared that the male operator was suffering some sort of medical distress. He was treated at the scene and then transported to 100 Mile District General Hospital for further tests.
Subsequent investigation determined that the Finning backhoe had been reported stolen out of Langley in 2010. An investigation into the possession of stolen property against the operator is ongoing at this time.
No charges have been recommended at this time.
During the past week, adverse weather conditions contributed to 14 motor-vehicle incidents on 100 Mile House roads. These include:
Dec. 9: A driver travelling south on Highway 97 at the 108 Mile Heritage Site lost control on the slippery roads. The vehicle rolled down the embankment. Both occupants, who were extricated by emergency crews, suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
Dec. 9: There was a minor collision between an BC Ambulance and a tractor trailer low-bed unit on the snow-covered 6000 Road near the Spanish Mountain Forest Service Road. There was approximately $2,000 damage to the ambulance but there were no injuries.
Dec. 12: A driver travelling north-bound on Highway 97 near Reichelt Road lost control of his van, crossed all lanes of of highway and rolled into the west ditch.
The driver, who suffered minor injuries, was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
Dec. 13: The driver of a tractor-trailer unit lost control of his empty B Train, crossed over the oncoming lane and ended up in the ditch facing the south-bound lane on the 108 Mile hill.
No other vehicles were involved. The driver was not injured.
Drivers are once again reminded that winter driving conditions are in effect. Slow down and ensure proper winter equipment is installed on your vehicles.
