Vernon RCMP have no idea why a Vernon man heading south on Hospital Hill made an abrupt detour through Polson Park Sunday afternoon.
Just after 1 p.m., police received a report that a white Eagle Vision car southbound on 32nd Street hopped the meridian, crossed the northbound lanes nearly striking oncoming traffic, and drove down an embankment into the park.
“The driver drove through a flower bed, tore up some grass then drove along a road and crossed a utility bridge over the creek just before the fountain,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. “He then parked in close proximity to the lawn bowling club washrooms.”
Molendyk said the driver and passenger ran from the vehicle towards a hedge area in the park, then just stood there.
“I’m not sure why, maybe they were waiting for the police to arrive,” said Molendyk.
Police did show up and the 34-year-old driver was arrested for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
He had no valid driver’s license at the time of his arrest, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
A search of the driver turned up a crack pipe, pills and other suspected drugs, and open liquor was found during a search of the car.
Molendyk said the registered owner of the vehicle was in the car, and he was arrested on an unrelated matter.
Molendyk could not say how much damage was done to the park.
