The RCMP had their hands full with drunk drivers this week, some belligerent and others causing collisions.
On March 20 at 6:22 p.m., police received reports of a yellow Toyota FJ driving erratically on Highway 99 southbound from Conroy Creek. The vehicle was located and stopped. The driver displayed symptoms of impairment and failed a roadside screening for alcohol and was returned to the detachment were he refused to supply a breath sample. The 41-year-old male was released to appear April 28 to answer to a charge of impaired driving and refusing to supply a breath sample. While in custody in Squamish, members were advised by Whistler RCMP that they were investigating several complaints of erratic driving and a hit and run collision that occurred just prior to Squamish's dealing with the driver, and as a result the driver was also issued a charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and will answer to that charge in court on April 28 as well.
On March 21 at 3:58 a.m., police, fire and ambulance responded to a roll over collision on Highway 99 south of Daisy Lake Dam near Rubble Creek. A 2001 black Jeep Cherokee had lost control and rolled over. Two female passengers were removed from the vehicle and treated for injuries. The 20-year-old female driver was extracted from the vehicle by the fire department using the jaws of life and transported to hospital. Police accompanied the driver in the ambulance and completed a blood demand kit, obtaining samples of blood for analysis in relation to an impaired driving investigation. The matter is still under investigation.
On March 22 at 8:30 p.m., police received a call of a possible impaired driver leaving the Chances Casino and going south bound on Highway 99. The vehicle was intercepted by police near Murrin Park and followed southbound on the highway. It became apparent to the officer that the driver was having difficulty maintaining the vehicle to his lane and initiated a stop. The 38-year-old male driver displayed multiple signs of impairment by alcohol and was detained and returned to the detachment. The driver submitted to a breathalyzer test and registered readings four times the legal limit showing that he was grossly intoxicated. The male will appear in court on April 28 to answer to a charge of impaired driving.
On March 18 at 1:19 a.m., an RCMP member on patrol spotted a White Jeep Cherokee eastbound on Cleveland Avenue approach and nearly strike the railway crossing only to swerve around a crossing gate, which was down for a train passing through. There were five occupants in the vehicle when it was stopped and the 23-year-old female driver displayed symptoms of being impaired by alcohol. The driver failed a roadside screening and was returned to the detachment where two readings over twice the legal limit were obtained. The driver was released to appear in court on May 26 to answer to a charge of impaired driving.
On March 18 at 3:15 a.m., members were conducting a road check on Highway 99 near Commercial Way when a southbound vehicle was seen driving towards the flashing police lights at a high rate of speed. The vehicle did not appear to make any attempt to slow down and blew through the road check without stopping. The 2006 gray Chevy Cobalt was pursued and stopped. The 22-year-old female driver failed a road sign screening and was returned to the detachment where two readings twice the legal limit were obtained. The driver will appear in court on May 5 to answer to a charge of impaired driving.
On March 21 at 10:04 p.m., a grey 2004 BMW was seen weaving northbound on Highway 99 near Mamquam Road. The
vehicle was stopped. The 43-year-old female driver failed a roadside screening test and was returned to the detachment where two samples of breath were taken, which registered nearly twice the legal limit. The driver was released to appear in court on May 12 to answer to a charge of impaired driving.
Car slams into rock face
On March 17 at 6:58 a.m., a report was received of a single vehicle collision on Highway 99 at Porteau Cove. A white Nissan Pathfinder with three occupants travelling northbound lost control and went off road into a rock face. The three occupants were transported to Squamish General Hospital by B.C. Ambulance for treatment and later released. The highway was closed to northbound traffic for an hour and the investigation is continuing into the cause of the collision.
Golf club broken into
On March 17, suspect(s) broke into the Squamish Valley Golf at 3:10 a.m. and stole a 40-inch Samsung TV screen through a window at the rear of the premises.
Undue care
On March 18 at 9:41 a.m., police and emergency crews attended a single vehicle collision on Highway 99 south of Lions Bay. A 2001 green Landrover Discovery lost control, striking medians on both sides of the highway. Witnesses reported the vehicle was travelling in excess of the speed limit, passing dangerously and cutting off other drivers. The 32-year-old male driver was cleared by ambulance crews, and was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care and attention and the vehicle was towed. The collision caused minor delays to traffic.
Tire slashed
On March 19, a complainant reports that overnight outside the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub, a tire on the vehicle was slashed and traffic control equipment including, pylons, constructions signs and a Windmaster signs were stolen for a value exceeding $2,500.
Misguided owl rescue
On March 19, conservation officers recovered an injured owl that had been collected by a motorist on Highway 99. The public are reminded that it is an offence to be in possession of wildlife and they should call the 24-hour reporting line at 1-877-952-7277 to report injured wildlife or conflict with wildlife.
Dirtbikers fined
March 20, conservation officers responded to complaints of dirtbikers parking on Quest University property and driving on the Mamquam Road. Offices issued violation tickets on two charges for failing to provide driver's license, one charge of having no vehicle license, and one charge for litter.
Squamish Valley partiers fined
On March 20, conservation officers conducted compliance verification patrols of the Upper Squamish Valley. Violation tickets were issued for offences under the Environmental Management Act for litter, the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, and the Motor Vehicle Act. Conservation officers also seized a prohibited firearm.
Control wildlife attractants
Spring has arrived and residents and local businesses are reminded to be diligent in their control of wildlife attractants and garbage management in accordance with the Wildlife Act and municipal bylaw.
