Trail and Greater District RCMP weekly report - 2024-01-09

Tractor-trailer slips off the highway

File # 2024-57

On Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. frontline Trail and Greater District officers responded to a single vehicle incident on Highway 3B near the intersection of Ross Spur Road, in Fruitvale, BC.  

When officers arrived, they discovered a tractor-trailer unit had slid into the ditch and flipped onto its side. The driver, a 22-year-old Castlegar man, did not appear to have any injuries at the time of the incident. He reported to police that he was travelling around 50 km/h when he slid off into the ditch when his tractor-trailer failed to turn the corner as he turned his wheels to negotiate it.

Officers believed that the snow and ice covering the roadway was a factor in the incident.

Snow has finally arrived. Please be prepared for winter road conditions and avoid travelling in them if possible, says Sgt. Wicentowich.

Stop and go then stop again

File # 2024-65

On Friday, January 5, 2024, at 5:24 p.m., two frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officers responded to a report of an alleged erratic driver travelling westbound on Highway 3B, in Trail, BC. The officers located the driver, a 30-year-old Trail woman, and her vehicle on the highway.  

The officers attempted to detained the woman and her vehicle roadside after they activated their emergency equipment. The woman took a long time to slow down and stop for the officers. Once stopped, the two officers approached the woman and her vehicle on foot; however, the woman drove off suddenly.

The officers reengaged the woman and vehicle again and stopped her for a second time. The woman managed to lightly bump her vehicle into one of the police cars that parked in front of her as she came to a stop. Again, the officers approached woman and her vehicle on foot. This time she remained at the scene.

The woman was not able to produce a valid BC driver’s licence but had a photograph of a foreign licence. The officers made observations that lead them to believe the woman’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. A demand was read to the woman, who provided a sample of breath roadside that resulted in a pass; however, alcohol was still detected.

The 30-year-old Trail woman was issued a $81 fine for failing to produce a valid driver’s licence contrary to Section 33(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act and a $138 fine for failing to stop for the police contrary to Section 73(1) of the BC MVA.

The officers in this matter acted quickly and professionally. Remember that even a small amount of alcohol can impair your judgement and ability to drive, says Sgt. Wicentowich I hope this driver learns from her real life bumper car experience.