Impaired driver crashes stolen vehicle into parked car in Chilliwack

CHILLIWACK — Police in Chilliwack had their hands full with 14 impaired drivers last week, says the detachment’s weekly snapshot.

Sometime between July 13 and 20, RCMP spotted an uninsured car leaving a liquor store on Yale Road. Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but did not follow when it kept driving for public safety reasons. 

Witnesses later reported that the same car crashed into a parked vehicle roughly one kilometre down the road, and police arrived to find the driver with minor injuries.

Mounties learned that the vehicle was reported stolen earlier in the day.

The driver received a one-day road ban for impaired driving and is expected to appear in court for the stolen car.

Over at Cooke Street, RCMP stopped a vehicle with broken headlights and found that its impaired driver had also been prohibited from driving. The driver received another roadside ban, as well as “multiple” violation tickets. They are set to appear in court for driving while prohibited.

More immediate roadside bans were issued from proactive patrols on Yale, Yale West, Columbia Valley, Vedder and Thomas Roads that week.

One concerned neighbour called in what they believed to be an impaired driver leaving their neighbourhood. Police found the vehicle at a gas station on Yale Road and spoke to the driver, who admitted they were drunk.

The individual received a 90-day driving ban when an investigation revealed they had a previous roadside prohibition a few years prior. The vehicle had been impounded for 30 days.

Driving infractions didn’t stop on the road either. 

An officer conducting patrols near Jade Bay spoke with a person who was sitting on their boat while waiting to launch – and observed signs of impairment. 

The driver refused to do a roadside test, leading to an immediate roadside ban and the person being held in custody until they were sober enough to care for themselves.

“As summer activity continues across Chilliwack and the surrounding recreational areas, the Chilliwack RCMP reminds residents and visitors to make safety a priority both on the water and in the back country,” said Chilliwack RCMP. “The public is encouraged to report impaired drivers, dangerous boating activity, and other public safety concerns.”

Mounties responded to a total of 1078 calls for service that week.