Agassiz RCMP members deal with 2 fatalities, multiple impaired incidents this past week

AGASSIZ – Details are limited at this point out of respect for the families involved, but Mounties from the Agassiz RCMP detachment have confirmed they tragically dealt with a pair of fatal incidents in the Agassiz area during the week of May 11-17.

According to a statement from Upper Fraser Valley RCMP spokesperson Corporal Carmen Kiener, two separate fatal incidents occurred last week in the Agassiz area. In both incidents, two people were struck by trains and sadly died.

Corporal Kiener says neither incident is considered suspicious or criminal in nature.

“Police are reminding the public of the importance of rail safety and exercising caution around train tracks,” Cpl. Kiener said.

No other information was released to the public about the two fatalities.

In other incidents during the week of Monday, May 11 through Sunday, May 17:

• An officer observed a vehicle travelling on Health Road without tail lights In the early morning hours. During a traffic stop, the driver exited the vehicle and the officer quickly identified signs of impairment. The driver, who initially refused to identify himself, was issued an immediate roadside driving ban, had his vehicle towed, and received a violation ticket for driving without a licence.
• Police responded to a report of a vehicle that had driven through a fence on Chaplin Road before continuing into a nearby field. The vehicle was later observed travelling westbound on Lougheed Highway at a high rate of speed, ultimately leaving the roadway and entering Maria’s Slough. Three occupants were seen walking away from the scene. When police located them, all individuals were uncooperative in identifying the driver but displayed signs of impairment, Cpl. Kiener said The investigation is ongoing.
• At the request of another police agency, officers conducted a well-being check on a woman believed to be in the Agassiz area. She was located in Harrison Hot Springs inside a car. Officers suspected alcohol impairment, however, she was not over the legal limit and was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition following a roadside breath test. Her well-being was confirmed, and she safely left the area with a friend.
• An off-duty officer reported a suspected impaired driver near Popkum and provided a licence plate. Although the vehicle was not immediately located, officers later intercepted it as it returned home. A roadside investigation confirmed impairment, and an immediate roadside prohibition was issued.
• Police received a report of an inebriated man who attempted to dock a boat at Harrison Lake. The individual did not successfully dock the boat and instead abandoned the unsecured boat and fled the area on foot. Police were not able to locate the man. However, they do have possession of the boat keys in case the owner chooses to contact police and retrieve them
• Police responded to reports of a disturbance involving a woman at a liquor store along Lougheed Highway. The woman was discovered shortly after leaving in a vehicle. Officers suspected impairment, and when she refused to comply with roadside testing, she was issued an immediate roadside prohibition and her vehicle was seized, Corporal Kiener said.

Altogether, Agassiz RCMP officers handled 52 calls for service during the period of May 11-17, of which four were property offences and seven involved crimes against persons.