Citizen uses pickup to block dangerous driver on Highway 97 near Vernon

RCMP got some help from a citizen who used their pickup to box in a dangerous driver on Highway 97 near Vernon earlier this week.

On Monday, April 14, at around 5:40 p.m., the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP received numerous reports of an older Kia Sorento driving at erratic speeds and colliding with centre barricades on Highway 97, heading northbound to Vernon.

The Sorento continued to travel north, even after sustaining damages, including a deflated tire, according to an RCMP media release.

"As the vehicle slowed to approximately five km/h, other vehicles travelling on the highway assisted the vehicle in coming to a complete stop," Vernon RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Tania Finn said the release.

"Seeing that the car was not going to stop, one witness used their pickup truck to box in the car against the barricade to prevent it from going any further," she said. "Fortunately, the car was going slow by this point and the truck was able to stop the vehicle without any injury to themselves, the other driver or any member of the public. It was definitely a risky maneuver, and not one that police would recommend, but we are grateful it worked out." 

Officers arrived on the scene to witness the driver slipping into unconsciousness. Vernon Fire and Rescue and the BC Ambulance Service assisted with entry into the locked vehicle, and the driver was administered Narcan for an apparent drug overdose.

The driver was a 37-year-old man from Lake Country, police say. He was transported to the nearest medical facility, where he continues to receive care.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

RCMP are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, and has not talked to police, to contact Const. Gunn at the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP detachment at 250-545-7171.

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