A Qualicum Beach man was arrested by Nanaimo RCMP following a hit and run in north Nanaimo.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, the incident occurred at approximately 6:40 p.m. Sunday when a 41-year-old man backed his Mazda Protegé into a Chrysler 300 at the Best Western on Metral Drive.
Police say the man then left the Best Western and travelled southbound on the old Island Highway. He eventually abandoned the Mazda on the E&N Trail across from the Nanaimo Golf Club and fled on foot.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP media spokesperson, said the Nanaimo Police Dog Services team was called in to locate the suspect, who was found within 15 minutes.
“The guy ran towards Labieux Road … then the dog continued tracking up into Beban Park and then they continued and while they were tracking, another member who was in the area located the male and took the male into custody,” O’Brien said, adding that there were a number of witnesses who reportedly filmed the man fleeing the Mazda.
The man, whose name has not been released, was arrested for dangerous driving and taken into police custody according to O’Brien, who said charges have not been filed as of Monday morning.
“The investigation is continuing,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien said the driver of the Chrysler 300 was taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for treatment, but he did not know her condition.
nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com
