.jpg;w=120;h=120;mode=crop){kind=avatar}
2023 is getting off to a rocky start for at least one North Shore driver.
A West Vancouver man is likely facing numerous charges after gunning his Range Rover away from a police officer attempting to stop him and later crashing into a tree near a highway on-ramp on New Year’s Eve.
The North Vancouver RCMP said the highway drama started around 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 when a police officer who was driving near East 19th Street and Grand Boulevard East in North Vancouver noticed a black Range Rover swerving unusually. The officer attempted to pull over the vehicle but instead of putting on the brakes, the driver floored the accelerator, fleeing at a high rate of speed and weaving dangerously in and out of traffic, according to North Vancouver RCMP spokesman Const. Mansoor Sahak.
Due to the risk to public safety, officers did not pursue the vehicle, police said.
But a short time later, witnesses reported the same black Range Rover had crashed into a tree beside the Westview Drive onramp to Highway 1.
The driver had fled the scene and police officers called in both a police dog and helicopter to help find him. He was located a short distance away, hiding in some bushes, and arrested, said Sahak.
Police are now asking witnesses who may have seen the Range Rover fleeing the original area, or the crash on the highway onramp to come forward.
“Although we have made an arrest, it’s very important that we continue our efforts to gather all available evidence,” said Sahak.
Witnesses are asked to call the RCMP at 604-985-1311 and quote file 22-31739. “Police are also asking anyone with dash cam or surveillance video to come forward. Your surveillance camera may have captured something. Please check,” said Sahak.
The driver, a 61-year-old man from West Vancouver, has since been released from custody.
Police are still investigating the incident and are considering charges that include refusal to provide a breath sample, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police.
