A vehicle fleeing police was brought to a halt by a spike belt before colliding with police cars and a civilian vehicle.
The incident happened just before 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 when a member of the Campbell River RCMP Detachment, after observing a Motor Vehicle Act offense, conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle on the Island Highway near Campbellton.
The driver of the vehicle fled from the traffic stop, nearly striking a police officer who had begun investigating the vehicle operator for impaired driving under the Criminal Code of Canada, according to Const. Jackelynn Biller of the Campbell River RCMP.
“Additional units assisted in attempting to stop the suspect vehicle and a spike belt was successfully deployed,” Const. Biller said.
The suspect vehicle then “came into contact with the responding police vehicles and a civilian vehicle,” Const. Biller said. The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop on 16th Ave., west of Dogwood Street.
The driver then “refused to obey the lawful commands given to him and became combative with the arresting officers.”
With the assistance of the Police Dog Section and several police officers, the driver was brought into custody. The driver sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident and was treated and released from hospital. Several police officers were also injured during the arrest and were treated for minor injuries and released at hospital.
The investigation continues and a detailed report will be forwarded to Crown Counsel for charge approval, Const. Biller said.