On June 8, 2020, at approximately 8:00 a.m. Elk Valley RCMP received a complaint of an erratic driver entering the detachment area from neighbouring Cranbrook, B.C. The lone driver was operating a silver Chevrolet pickup with Saskatchewan plates.
RCMP located the suspect vehicle west of Sparwood and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, however, the pickup fled at a high rate of speed. No pursuit was initiated. The pickup then continued eastbound through Sparwood toward the B.C./Alberta border. Crowsnest Pass RCMP were alerted and staged with spike belts near the border.
Constable Debra Katerenchuk of the Elk Valley RCMP stated,“ Elk Valley RCMP officers allegedly observed the pickup disobeying flagging/traffic control at two separate work sites on Highway 3, where maintenance work was being done with workers and equipment on the travel portion of the highway. The workers at the site were alerted by RCMP activating emergency equipment.”
When the pickup entered into Alberta, Crowsnest Pass RCMP successfully deployed spike belts on Highway 3 near Crowsnest Lake. The vehicle slowed down significantly, as it was rolling on rims only. Crowsnest Pass RCMP officers stopped the vehicle on the outskirts of Coleman, Alberta and a female youth was taken into custody without incident. There were no injuries to the youth or RCMP members.
The youth has since been released from custody to family members and may be facing Criminal Code and Motor Vehicle Act charges relating to charges in Alberta and B.C.
editor@thefreepress.ca
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