Over the last week Clearwater RCMP have responded to several different traffic incidents along Highway 5 and other major roads around Clearwater. Here are few of the files that police responded to.
Pickup truck fire
On Saturday, Aug. 9, at 12:09 a.m, Clearwater RCMP responded to a report of a possible impaired driver who had crashed his vehicle in the ditch south of Avola on Highway 5.
Police attended the scene and immediately noticed a small fire near the fog line of the highway. Police quickly extinguished the flames, revealing a pile of books, clothing and, of course, potatoes.
The driver had left the scene and hitchhiked to Blue River, where he advised police of the incident. Police could not locate the male after the incident.
Later that same morning, Barriere RCMP investigated a theft from a local resident's shed and discovered that the male driver from the Avola incident was now roaming south of Barriere.
Barriere RCMP eventually apprehended this individual under the Mental Health Act. The male was transported to Kamloops.
Impaired driver
On Aug. 9 at 11:53 p.m., Clearwater RCMP were conducting traffic enforcement and notice a white Nissan truck travelling well above the posted speed limit.
The vehicle was stopped and police immediately noticed the odor of liquor coming from the driver. The driver provided a breath sample that resulted in a “Fail” reading.
The driver was served with a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Another impaired driver
On Aug. 14, at 6:55 p.m., Clearwater RCMP attended a collision on Clearwater Valley Road.
A single male driver had driven his vehicle off the road into a steep ditch.
Police investigated and discovered that the male driver was severely impaired. The driver provided breath samples to police that resulted in a “Fail” reading. The driver was served with a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a local tow yard.
A sudden awakening
On Aug. 16, Clearwater RCMP responded to a motor vehicle incident along Highway 5 near Miller subdivision.
A single male driver had fallen asleep at the wheel while southbound and driven down into the ditch.
The driver quickly woke up and drove out of the ditch, severely damaging his front driver-side wheel.
The male was transported to hospital with minor injuries.