Suspected impaired driver on parole arrested after fleeing crash in Kelowna

KELOWNA – A suspected impaired driver was arrested yesterday after witnesses reported him driving erratically, speeding and fleeing after crashing into another vehicle.

The 32-year-old suspect from Kelowna is not named in a media release but Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says he was on parole.

The incident started around 9 p.m. yesterday, May 8, when independent witnesses reported a black Mitsubishi Outlander travelling at high speed and passing motorists in “a reckless and dangerous manner” downtown.

“A short time later, police were updated that the same suspect vehicle had collided with a Ford Escape in the intersection of Gordon Drive and Raymar Road in Kelowna’s Lower Mission,” O’Donaghey says. “The suspect driver failed to remain at the scene of that collision and immediately departed the area in his damaged vehicle, which was later spotted abandoned on Sutherland Avenue near Lindahl Street.”

Police found him at a nearby residence where he was arrested and taken into custody.

The police investigation remains ongoing at this time.

RCMP are interested in hearing from anyone who may have witnessed the suspect vehicle being driven at any point between approximately 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Or if you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.

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