PENTICTON, B.C. — A 40-year-old man is facing charges after a police car was rammed and dragged at an intersection in Penticton, B.C.
RCMP Cpl. Dave Tyreman says in a news release that officers were called about an erratic and possibly impaired driver after witnesses reported a van driving all over the road and endangering other motorists on Monday afternoon.
He says police found the van stopped at a traffic light, an officer indicated for the driver to pull over, but the driver accelerated, side-swiped and dragged the police vehicle a short distance before fleeing.
The police vehicle was significantly damaged, but Tyreman says the officer did not pursue the fleeing van for fear of public safety.
Police located the suspect after he drove through a locked gate, stopped, then fled on foot.
Tyreman says a Keremeos man was arrested without incident and faces charges that include theft, dangerous driving and impaired driving.