By Sgt. G.D. Simpson
Clearwater RCMP responded to 41 calls for service over this past week. A few of the more interesting ones are noted herein:
Nov. 9
At 04:35 a.m. Clearwater RCMP were called out to a tractor trailer roll over report on Highway 5 between Avola and Blue River, BC.
The vehicle was north bound when the driver lost control and went off road right at the Finn Creek Brake Check. The tractor was partially on the Highway. A local tow company attended with flaggers and were in charge of the recovery.
The driver, who does not speak English, was at a service station in Blue River and wanted BC Ambulance to attend and check on him. Police attended to the accident scene, despite the heavy snowfall and dark conditions.
The roads were being covered in snow faster than they could be plowed. Highway maintenance crews were doing the best they could given the weather conditions.
The tractor was a white Volvo out of B.C. registered to a Canadian carrier company, pulling a white trailer. Police obtained photos and contacted the company to identified the driver.
No charges laid due to the inclement weather conditions.
Also on Nov. 9
At 06:00 a.m. a Kamloops woman called the Clearwater RCMP to report a traffic complaint on Highway 5 near Avola, BC.
She reported that a tractor trailer pulling yellow bins was all over the road and into the oncoming lane. Police were enroute to the above mentioned collision on the Highway and passed the described vehicle earlier, observing similar driving habits.
The highway was covered in snow as it was snowing hard and dark out. Police arrived at the collision scene and got another report of similar driving behaviour from a plow truck operator regarding this vehicle.
Police located the suspect vehicle, a white B.C. registered Kenworth pulling a trailer with yellow bins. Police pulled over the vehicle and identified the driver and sole occupant by his photo and likeness on his B.C. drivers licence.
The 58 year-old Chilliwack driver was slurring his words, had glossy red eyes and admitted to having two cans of beer. He walked to the police car’s back seat, staggering and was unable to follow directions.
An alcohol screening device demand was read and understood, by the driver who said, “I’m done.”
A breath sample provided into the screening device registered a FAIL which was shown to the driver. His right to second test was accepted. The second breath sample also recorded a FAIL and was shown to the driver who now admitted to having five cans of beer in his six hours of driving.
The driver was issued copies of a 90 day Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibition and a 30 day vehicle impoundment along with a violation ticket for No Drivers Licence: Section 24(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act.
His licence had been cancelled more than a year previous. Five more cans of unopened beer with 8 per cent alcohol content were dumped at scene. Police transported the driver to Wells Gray Hotel to get a room for the day.
A local towing company drove and secured the vehicle at their compound. The registered owner was advised of the vehicle location and driver information.
Nov. 10
At approximately 11:30 p.m., Clearwater RCMP members observed a white SUV with a burnt out headlight pulling out of the back parking lot of a local liquor establishment and then exit onto Clearwater Village Road.
Police closed their distance on the vehicle and observed it pulling into a driveway on Clearwater Village Road, with its lights now completely turned off. A traffic stop of the vehicle was conducted in the driveway.
The 42 year-old male driver was identified, as was the passenger, who was the registered owner of the BC registered vehicle.
The driver admitted to having two beers 45 minutes prior to driving. An Alcohol Screening Device demand was read to the driver, and initially refused. The driver became resistant to police and was arrested, pulled from the vehicle and handcuffed.
The driver decided he then wanted to provide a sample, which was facilitated. The first sample registered a WARN which was shown to the driver. A second test was requested, which registered a FAIL and was also shown to the driver.
He was served with three-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and Violation Ticket for no driver’s licence. The vehicle was not impounded and no transportation required as the vehicle was parked in the driveway of a residence.
Anyone with information on a crime can call Clearwater RCMP at 250-674-2237 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
