Submitted by Sgt. G.D. Simpson
November 22
At 8:30 a.m., a Dawson Creek woman working for a TMX contractor called the RCMP to report a rear-end collision on Highway 5 near the Vavenby Bridge Rd. in Vavenby. Another male employee, also from Dawson Creek, was driving a company truck southbound, registered to a company out of Dawson Creek, when he was rear-ended on the driver’s side of the red 2017 GMC truck he was driving while slowing and turning left off the highway. He was rear-ended by a 2019 Western Star tractor unit, white in colour and driven by a 79-year-old Chestermere, Alta., male.
Fortunately, there were no injuries and damage between the two vehicles was estimated at under $10,000 and was minor enough that both vehicles were still drivable.
November 23
Clearwater RCMP received a call from a Hinton, Alta., man at 5:22 a.m. reporting a motor vehicle incident that occurred the previous night in the parking lot of a local motel. The complainant stated that a red 2021 Chevrolet Blazer with Alberta plates had driven into the side of his work truck, which was a 2017 white Chevrolet Silverado. The red Blazer was driven by a 28-year-old female, also from Alberta.
This incident occurred between 11:30 and midnight the night before.
It appeared the Blazer had reversed and parked in the parking stall next to the pickup truck. Const. Lockwood spoke with the female who stated she was turning into the parking stall, hit the gas a little bit to0 hard on the ice and slid right into the truck. While she was backing out after hitting the truck, her mirror got stuck and ripped off.
The complainant was advised of same and stated that insurance would deal with it.
Initially, the female had called her boss inadvertently stating that someone had hit her vehicle. When Const. Lockwood spoke with her, she immediately stated that she’d hit the truck. No criminal investigation required. No charges laid.
November 24
Clearwater RCMP received a call from a 71-year-old local man at 2:10 p.m. advising of a pick-up truck that had gone off road left down an embankment and saw a male with a white and black dog standing on the side of the highway. Another caller stated that the male was picked up with his dog and would be calling his own tow truck. This male was later identified as a 67-year-old local man.
Const. Lockwood and Sgt. Simpson attended the collision and could see liquor bottles scattered throughout, as well as a vodka bottle with liquor in it on the floor board of the driver’s side of the 2011 dark red Dodge pickup. The cab of the vehicle had a overpowering smell of liquor as well.
Const. Lockwood and Sgt. Simoson attended the driver’s home address after he had called dispatch advising of his vehicle being taken and crashed in this location. Members could see that the male was very impaired, as he was uneasy on his feet, slurring his words and had bloodshot eyes. He started to tell members that someone had come to his house and taken his truck, which was inconsistent with his previous story of how he was getting the truck ready to go find work.
Although he knew where the truck had crashed, and he and his dog fit the description provided to police, he denied driving it. He later called a local tow company to tow his truck out of the ditch. Investigation is on-going.
Later at 2:55 a.m., Clearwater RCMP received a call from BC Ambulance Service, advising of a single-vehicle collision on Highway 5 near John Foster Rd. in Clearwater. Clearwater members were already at a collision in the same general area and attended.
Const. Lockwood and Sgt. Simpson observed tracks off road right and a U-Haul cube van tipped on its side in the ditch. A local tow company attended immediately as they were nearby and pulled the driver, a 65-year-old female out of Okanagan Falls from the cab. She was transported to the Clearwater hospital as a precaution.
Const. Lockwood spoke with driver who stated she had been driving since 8:30 that morning and was tired and likely fell asleep at the wheel. The local tow company recovered the vehicle which is registered to U-Haul.
Clearwater RCMP responded to 47 calls for service this past week.
Sgt. G.D. Simpson is the detachment commander at the Clearwater RCMP Detachment. Anyone with information on a crime is encouraged to call Clearwater RCMP at 250-674-2237 or, to report anonymously, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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