Man steals car, RCMP crashes car
A possibly suicidal man stole his parents car this morning and fled to Mill Bay, precipitating a three vehicle crash on the Malahat involving a West Shore RCMP cruiser.
At about 3 a.m. the 33-year-old man, reported as drunk and wielding a screwdriver and knife, threatened and assaulted his parents in their home in the 100 block of Aldersmith Place, in View Royal.
He took off in their car and was found an hour later in Mill Bay by Shawnigan and West Shore RCMP officers. The man surrendered without incident, police say, and is in custody at the West Shore RCMP detachment.
RCMP Sgt. Max Fossum said the man’s parents reported to police their son was distraught and suicidal. He didn’t have weapons in the vehicle when he was arrested.
Near the time the man was found in Mill Bay, a marked West Shore RCMP cruiser was on route to the scene in weather conditions were described as wet and windy. Police say it appears the cruiser crossed the highway centre line near Bamberton, and hit a southbound Volvo.
That Volvo then struck the southbound tractor trailer beside it. The 37-year-old Volvo driver had minor injuries and was treated at the scene by B.C. Ambulance paramedics. The truck driver and police officer, a 40-year-old three-year Mountie, were unharmed.
The Volvo and police cruiser were badly damaged.
Southbound lanes of the Malahat at Bamberton were closed until about 9:15 a.m. this morning. The crash is under investigation by the South Island Traffic Services collision analyst.
The 33-year-old man faces charges related to impaired driving, assault, and uttering threats. Fossum said under the circumstances, it is likely the Crown will seek a psychiatric assessment of the man.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
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