RCMP arrest erratic driver on Highway 5 after chase from Barriere | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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RCMP arrest erratic driver on Highway 5 after chase from Barriere

Image Credit: FILE PHOTO

BARRIERE - RCMP are recommending charges after officers responded to complaints about an erratic driver on Highway 5 in Barriere who may have been suffering from a mental health disorder.

Officers from both the Kamloops and Barriere RCMP detachments responded to numerous complaints about a man's erratic driving at around 1:45 a.m. today, Nov. 15, according to an RCMP news release.

Police say a group of bystanders attempted to box in the driver on the Barriere Bridge but the suspect was able to get away and started heading south on Highway 5 toward Kamloops.

Shortly after, officers heard additional reports from motorists that the vehicle was driving on the opposite lane and swerving all over the road.

Police say they attempted a traffic stop but the suspect vehicle did not comply, and turned around and was again blocked by bystanders in semi-trucks. However, the vehicle changed directions again and struck a police vehicle twice at low speed and kept driving.

RCMP deployed a spike belt that partially disabled the car, but it continued heading southbound at a very low speed, and the driver struck a second unoccupied police car.

A second spike belt was deployed and managed to deflate the remaining tires, police say.

“The vehicle continued driving at low speeds on its flat tires and was approaching the stopped traffic, forcing police to box the vehicle in, which finally brought it to a stop,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Dan Moskaluk says in the release.

The driver refused to exit the vehicle and was removed by police and taken into custody without further incident, Moskaluk says.

Drugs and alcohol were not contributing factors in the man’s behaviour and once assessed medically it was determined the man may have been suffering from a mental health disorder, he says.

A 25-year-old man is facing a number of charges. RCMP haven't said what charges are being recommended, or identified the suspect.


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