A 76-year-old man who last week slammed his car into two others, including a police cruiser, after failing to stop for police for an alleged traffic violation in Squamish, is having his fitness to drive a motor vehicle reviewed.
Last Wednesday (Nov. 17) at 4:32 p.m., a Squamish RCMP officer on patrol saw a red Pontiac fail to stop at a stop sign at Victoria Street and Third Avenue, RCMP Cpl. Dave Ritchie said in a statement.
Police followed the vehicle and the driver initially refused to stop, proceeding slowly down the street. It finally did stop, but when the police officer got out of his vehicle, the vehicle drove off. It then collided with a civilian vehicle at the intersection of Victoria Street and Cleveland Avenue before heading to Loggers' Lane, where it pulled over and stopped, Ritchie said.
"When the officer got out of his vehicle, the driver of the Pontiac put the vehicle into reverse and backed into the police vehicle, causing minor damage," Ritchie said.
The vehicle's driver was arrested and ticketed for failing to stop for police when directed and reversing unsafely. The matter is under investigation, and Ritchie said it has been referred to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles for a review of the man's ability to drive a vehicle.
Possession charge in works
A driver whose vehicle was stopped for speeding in Britannia Beach on the weekend is facing a charge of possession of a controlled substance after police found a large amount of marijuana and a smaller amount of hashish inside the vehicle.
On Saturday (Nov. 20) at 9:50 a.m., Squamish RCMP officers stopped a vehicle for speeding along Highway 99. In speaking with the driver, the officer detected a strong smell of marijuana. The officer searched the vehicle and found the marijuana and hashish, Ritchie said.
The male was arrested and released on a promise to appear in court on Dec. 15 to answer the charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Drunk driver penalized
On Saturday at 11:25 a.m., a police officer on patrol along Highway 99 at Porteau Cove stopped a vehicle for speeding.
An officer approached the vehicle and smelled liquor on the driver's breath. A roadside alcohol screening was administered, and the driver blew a "fail," Ritchie said. The 30-year-old man was issued a 90-day driving prohibition and had his vehicle impounded for 30 days.
Tools stolen from vehicle
Last Thursday (Nov. 18) at 7:41 a.m., police received a report of a break, enter and theft from a vehicle that was parked at Alice Lake while its owner was camping there. The perpetrator(s) had broken a rear side window, Ritchie said.
Stolen were a black Makita tool bag and tools with an estimated value of between $4,000 and $5,000. Police are investigating the matter.
Conservation Officer report
According to Sgt. Chris Doyle of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, illegal hunting is prevalent in the Sea to Sky Corridor this time of year. Five men were charged for illegal fishing activities in the corridor during the past week.
Infractions included killing bull trout on the Cheakamus River, catching and retaining bull trout on Green Lake and angling with too many fishing rods.
Three males were charged for discharging firearms in a no-shooting area near Furry Creek; one male was charged for having a loaded firearm in a vehicle near Squamish; and another for having open liquor in a vehicle near Squamish.
