Penticton RCMP cruiser damaged
By Contributor
An impaired driver rammed a Penticton RCMP vehicle during a drunken rage Monday in the South Okanagan City.
RCMP received a call Monday (May 25) at 4 p.m. of an erratic and possibly impaired driving complaint involving an older white cargo van.
Witnesses described the vehicle as being all over the road and endangering the other motorists.
Police located the van stopped at a traffic light at Skaha Lake road and the Channel parkway.
The officer was unable to get in behind the van so he pulled up beside it to indicate for the driver to pull over.
The driver of the van driver accelerated and side swiped the police vehicle and dragged it a short distance before fleeing.
The police vehicle sustained significant damage and fearing for public safety, the officer did not pursue the van which continued south bound on highway 97.
Police were able to located the suspect vehicle a few kilometers North of Kaleden.
The driver drove through a locked gate before stopping. He then fled on foot, but was apprehended a short time later without incident.
A 40-year-old resident from Keremeos is facing numerous charges including; Theft, Dangerous Driving, and Impaired Driving.
The driver has been released on a promise to appear with a first court appearance later in June.
