Clearwater RCMP responded to 20 calls for service in the week leading up to Jan. 18.
On Jan. 13, 2025, an elderly man called to report he had hit a deer while driving home to Blackpool.
While the driver wasn't sure of his license plate number, he said the vehicle sustained only minor damage but the deer may need to be put down. Police attended and located the deer on Highway 5 near Ray Road. The animal was found dead and the RCMP provided a file number for insurance purposes. Due to the vehicle only sustaining minor damage, no accident report was deemed necessary.
On Jan. 14, 2025 at 10 a.m., a middle-aged Clearwater area man came to the RCMP detachment to report a mischief complaint. The man reported someone had cut down a tree on his property near the fenceline. Cpl. Meyer drove to the property and observed property markers, a seven-foot fence and a cut tree, with pieces taken to a trailer on a neighbouring property. Police spoke to a person who came out of the trailer to find out what was happening. The person said they had cut the tree believing it to be a danger tree hanging over their relative's property. The complainant disagreed and said no more trees were to be cut without permission. The person on the neighbouring property reportedly acknowledged this and said he would stay off the complainant's property. No charges were brought forward.
RCMP continue to investigate a collision between a tractor-trailer and SUV. On Jan. 18, 2025 at 3:04 p.m., Clearwater RCMP were advised of a collision in Blackpool in which a passenger SUV was reportedly struck by a tractor trailer unit passing it, damaging both vehicles. There were no no injuries.
Police attended and spoke to a 20-year-old Kelowna man, the driver of the SUV. This driver reported the semi started passing him, and cut back too early hitting his vehicle. However, the Edmonton driver of the semi and passenger from Hinton provided police with a different version of the incident. According to the semi driver and passenger, the SUV had been nearly stopped on the highway with no visible turn signal, and when the semi went to pass, the SUV turned into the semi as if to make a left turn. RCMP reported the damage to the SUV was indicative of this version of the event and there is a turnoff where the collision took place.
The scene and damage to each vehicle was documented, with the SUV driver transported to Wells Gray Inn to connect with a ride. An accident report was completed and will be sent to both parties involved in the collision as well as ICBC. Dashcam footage was also going to be provided by the tractor/trailer driver to aid in the investigation, which is ongoing, to determine if charges are recommended.
