Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for June 3 to 11:
Traffic Incidents
• On June 5, police attended a three-vehicle incident on Highway 101 near McCourt Road, Sechelt, after a southbound vehicle swerved and then stopped to avoid hitting a large amount of debris that had fallen out of the vehicle in front. A second vehicle, in an effort to avoid hitting the first vehicle, crossed the double solid line but still struck the driver’s side rear of the first vehicle. A third vehicle, heading north, swerved to avoid hitting the second vehicle that had come into its lane, but still made contact and ended up in the ditch. One of the passengers was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, but no other serious injuries were reported. The first and second vehicles were towed from the scene but the third vehicle was driven away. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On June 5, witnesses reported a possible impaired driver in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, after the driver was seen repeatedly hitting a metal sign pole while trying to parallel park, then pull forward, hitting a parked car in front of him, and then hitting a curb while trying to make a U-turn on the street before ending up going into a one-way parking lot the wrong way. Police located the driver and determined he was not impaired but dealing with health issues. A driver’s licence medical review has been requested from RoadSafetyBC.
• On June 5, police witnessed a northbound vehicle with a distinctive rear bumper pass another vehicle on a double solid line near Veterans Road, Gibsons. Police lost sight of the vehicle before a traffic stop could be initiated, but another witness advised police that she’d managed to take photos of the suspect vehicle, including the licence plate number. Police will be following up with the registered owner and issuing a violation ticket for passing on a double solid line.
• On June 11, police came upon a three-vehicle incident in the 5900 block of Highway 101, Sechelt. Two vehicles were stopped behind a left-turning vehicle when a third vehicle failed to stop in time and rear-ended the second vehicle, sending it into the back of the first vehicle. The second vehicle sustained significant damage and had to be towed from the scene, but the driver did not sustain any life-threatening injuries. The driver of the third vehicle advised he’d been paying attention to a cyclist and a parked vehicle, thinking they would both be pulling into the roadway in front of him and when they didn’t, the driver looked ahead and noticed too late that the cars were stopped. The third vehicle driver was issued a violation ticket for following too closely and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
Thefts, Mischief, Break and Enters
• On June 6, at around 3 a.m., two suspects stole a dry storage box containing tools and camping gear off a truck parked in the 12200 Highway 101, Madeira Park. The suspects, including a smoking driver, pulled up in a beige or tan SUV and a male who was either bald or had white hair and wearing dark pants and a grey hoodie got out and looked into the backs of several parked vehicles. A witness noted the male get into the passenger seat and the SUV leave with the truck box hanging out the back compartment. Unfortunately, no licence plate was obtained. The truck box has a distinctive nearly one-foot-wide dent in the front made by the bow of a boat. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 2018-3578.
• Between June 3 and 7, suspects broke into a residence in the 6700 block of Bradwynne Road, Egmont, gaining access through an unlocked door, and vandalized the interior with a fire extinguisher. The suspects also damaged fishing equipment and an inflatable boat and stole two Internet routers. Anyone with information about this break and enter is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 2018-3601.
• At around 4:30 a.m. on June 10, a resident in the 7800 block of Fawn Road, Halfmoon Bay, heard noises and interrupted two male suspects attempting to take copper and metal from a pile on the property. The suspects ran away empty-handed and fled the scene in a silver Chevrolet SUV. The driver is described as a slim Caucasian male, approximately six feet two inches tall with light hair wearing a grey hoodie. The passenger is described as a slim Caucasian male, approximately five feet 10 inches tall, with dark hair wearing a plaid jacket. Police made extensive patrols but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle.
Hit and Runs
• On June 8, a hit and run occurred on Gibsons Way at Payne Road, Gibsons, after a vehicle stopped to make a left turn on Payne and was passed by a second vehicle on the right. The second vehicle then cut in front of the first vehicle, clipping it in the process, and made a left turn onto Payne Road. The driver of the first vehicle followed the second vehicle, and at a red light managed to get a photo of the licence plate. The driver also spoke with the second vehicle’s driver, who said he was in a hurry before driving away. Police will be following up with the second driver and issuing him a violation ticket for failing to exchange particulars.
• On June 9, police attended a hit and run involving a pedestrian in a controlled intersection on Gibsons Way and Sunnycrest Road, Gibsons, after the pedestrian started crossing on the green light and a vehicle attempted to make a left turn onto Sunnycrest Road. The vehicle approached the pedestrian, startling him, and then lurched toward the pedestrian, forcing the pedestrian to put his hands on the hood and jump to avoid being knocked over. The driver and pedestrian exchanged words, and the pedestrian called police, providing the vehicle description and licence plate information. Police located the driver, who advised he’d started making the turn before seeing the pedestrians but because of oncoming traffic, wanted to get as close to the crosswalk as possible to avoid blocking traffic. The driver, who realized his error, was issued a violation ticket for failing to yield to a pedestrian. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
Impaired Driver
• On June 10, police attended a possible impaired driver at a single-vehicle incident on Highway 101 near Madeira Park. Emergency Health Services, which was already on scene, reported the vehicle was in the ditch sideways with the wheels off the ground. Police spoke with the driver who advised he had been drinking before driving and backed the vehicle into the ditch by accident. As the driver had already received an Immediate Roadside Prohibition in the past, the driver was arrested for impaired driving and taken back to cells for processing. The driver was given and failed an alcohol screening test and released on a promise to appear for court, a 24-hour driving prohibition and an administrative driving prohibition. The file is still under investigation.
– Sunshine Coast RCMP
