Police deploy spike belt to end chase with drunk driver in South Okanagan

RCMP arrested a Calgary man for dangerous and drunk driving after a chase last night involving officers from Penticton and Summerland.

It all started at around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, Sept. 20, when an officer tried to pull over a pickup truck because the brake lights weren't working, according to an RCMP media release. Once the lights and siren were turned on, the man behind the wheel didn't pull over and continued to drive north on Highway 97.

The officer didn't take up the chase in the interests of public safety.

The call went out and officers in both Summerland and Penticton spotted the suspect vehicle as the driver "disregard traffic control devices and failed to stop for officers," RCMP said.

The chase came to and end at approximately 10:30 p.m. with a spike belt on Highway 97 and Eckhardt Avenue which disabled the truck.

A 34-year-old Calgary man was arrested and he's facing several charges including dangerous driving and flight from police. He was charged on the spot with impaired driving and issued a three-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition.

“We’re thankful this incident concluded without injury to our citizens or officers," RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy said in the release.


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Gabrielle Adams

As a political scientist interested in social justice issues and current events, I hold topics of
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