Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for April 21 to 28:
Collisions/distracted driving
• On April 23, police attended a single-vehicle accident in the 1100 block of Highway 101 in Gibsons after a witness reported seeing a northbound vehicle gradually leave the laneway and drift off into the ditch.
Police spoke with the driver who advised she did know what had happened, that she didn't remember leaving the road and only felt and heard a big bang before police arrived. Due to a pre-existing medical condition, a driver's licence medical review has been requested and the driver was taken to hospital as a precaution.
• On April 24, police attended to a single-vehicle accident in the 5400 block of Garden Bay Road after a passerby reported an abandoned vehicle on the roadway with keys in the ignition and the hazard lights on.
The vehicle, which had to be towed due to major front-end damage, appears to have lost control on a curve, gone off road and into a steep hillside. The head-on impact caused the vehicle to bounce backward into the eastbound lane where it was left. Attempts to locate the registered owner have been unsuccessful.
• On April 27, police attended a two-vehicle accident on Dolphin Street near Hackett Park in Sechelt after the first westbound vehicle struck a second parked vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle advised she had glanced down at the centre console and when she did so, the vehicle went off the road to the right and hit the unoccupied parked car. Both vehicles sustained damage, but fortunately, no major injuries were reported.
The driver of the first vehicle was issued a violation ticket for fail to keep right. The matter has been referred to ICBC. Police remind drivers that it only takes an instant for a collision to happen, and that any form of distracted driving can be dangerous.
Drinking and driving
• On April 25, a hit-and-run was reported at the intersection of Highway 101 and Garden Bay Road after a vehicle stopped at a stop sign was struck on the driver's side by a second vehicle, which came quickly around the corner.
The second vehicle did not stop, but fled eastbound on Garden Bay Road. While police were speaking to witnesses at the scene, the suspect driver returned to the scene and admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving. The driver was given and failed a roadside alcohol-screening test. The driver was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and violation tickets for fail to remain at scene, improper turn at intersection and driving contrary to restrictions.
• On April 26, a possible impaired driver was observed at a police roadblock set up at Lower Road and Largo Road in Roberts Creek. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of impairment and admitted to consuming alcohol shortly before driving, was given a roadside alcohol-screening test. After a "warn" result, the driver was issued a three-day immediate roadside prohibition.
• On April 26, during a police roadblock in Roberts Creek, police stopped a vehicle and noted the odour of alcohol from inside the cab. The driver admitted to consuming alcohol shortly before driving and was given a roadside alcohol-screening test. After a "fail" result, the driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Theft/B&Es
• On April 24, a thief gained entry to an unlocked vehicle in the Langdale BC Ferries visitor parking lot and stole a wallet containing bank and identification cards, including birth certificate, and cash.
The owner had only left her vehicle unattended for about 15 minutes.
• On April 24, a Coast resident reported a wallet stolen from his vehicle. The resident reported that the wallet had been in the vehicle before he picked up a hitchhiker.
Shortly after dropping off the hitchhiker at Field Road, the resident noticed the wallet was missing, and returned to the drop-off site in hopes of locating either the hitchhiker or his wallet discarded nearby. Unfortunately, neither was found.
The suspect is described as a female aged between 18 and 25 years old, with long dark hair, a mole somewhere on her face, and a slim build.
• On April 27, a shoplifter was caught by staff at a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street in Sechelt. The suspect, who tried to leave when confronted by staff, was arrested for theft under $5,000 and released on a promise to appear in court. The business has also banned the suspect from the property.
