WATCH – Police release remarkable video of Abbotsford teen crashing car last summer near Chilliwack
A vehicle driven by a 16-year-old collided with a parked dump truck near Popkum on July 21, 2026. (Image Credit: BC Highway Patrol)
CHILLIWACK — An Abbotsford teenager was handed a 12-month driver’s licence suspension after being found guilty of numerous offences as a result of a high-speed crash last summer near Chilliwack. Now the RCMP BC Highway Patrol is releasing a video of the incident to warn others about the dangers of reckless driving.
According to police, the cellphone video was provided to investigators voluntarily. It shows the teen driving at speeds up to 180 km/h with friends in the vehicle and failing to stop for police.
“Nobody likes getting stopped by police, but this video shows the alternative is usually much worse,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin of BC Highway Patrol in a statement. “You can see how quickly the teen’s friends went from enjoying the ride to ‘don’t kill us.’”
The incident dates back to July 21, 2025, when officers clocked a BMW sedan travelling at 180 km/h on Highway 1 near Popkum east of Chilliwack.
Mounties say the 16-year-old driver failed to stop and instead continued driving at high before crashing into a parked dump truck.
McLaughlin said the video is being released in hopes it will prompt conversations about safe driving.
“We hope this video stimulates parents to talk with their children about how badly this could have ended,” he said. “We all need to do more to prevent tragic outcomes.”
The Abbotsford youth, who held a Class 7 learner’s licence at the time, was convicted of excessive speed, driving without due care and attention, failing to obey a stop sign, passing on the right and operating a vehicle that was improperly equipped.
He was also found guilty of several violations of learner restrictions, including having too many passengers, driving without a qualified supervisor and failing to display an “L” sign.
The vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days. The driver’s stepmother was responsible for the towing and impound costs, as well as any insurance deductible or repair expenses related to the crash.
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