On May 7 at 5:33 p.m. Clearwater RCMP received an anonymous report of an Impaired Driver, on Highway 5, 5 kilometres north of Blue River.
“It was reported that the vehicle hit the northbound ditch at about 130 kilometres per hour," reports Sgt. Grant Simpson, detachment commander for the Clearwater RCMP. "The driver admitted he was drunk and tried to drive away getting stuck even more so. No injuries were reported, so no BCEHS was required. The vehicle was described as a Grey Nissan Titan, with B.C. Plates. Motor vehicle checks showed the registered owner to be a 35-year-old Armstrong man. The driver was said to be throwing empty beer cans out of his vehicle.”
Sgt. Simpson says Cpl. Meyer attended 1.5 hours after the report as the vehicle was more than 110 kilometres north of Clearwater. The vehicle was upright and minimal damage had been incurred to it.
“An empty box of beer was observed in the back seat, with empty beer cans around the vehicle. The driver was found sleeping in the vehicle and was awoken by Cpl. Meyer,” added Simpson. Due to continuity issues of the driver, he was arrested for Causing a Disturbance by being Drunk in Public, searched and identified via by his RBC Mastercard, then by his B.C. driver’s licence. The driver was placed safely in the back of the police car. Photos of the scene were obtained and attached to the file. A local towing company arrived, towed and secured the vehicle.
Simpson said the driver was transported to Clearwater cells, awaiting his spouse from Armstrong, B.C. to arrive. His wife was contacted by Cpl. Meyer and advised to retrieve her husband when she arrived in town. Cpl. Meyer then issued the driver violation tickets for Driving Without Due Care, Liquor in a Motor Vehicle and Intoxicated in a Public Place and released him to his wife. A towing details page was also completed. Vehicle damage was estimated at under $10,000. Motor vehicle checks were attached to the police file.
Sgt. Simpson reports that on May 8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., a nurse at Dr, Helmcken Memorial Hospital, contacted Clearwater RCMP Detachment front desk regarding a patient reporting an intruder in the hospital. Clearwater members attended and spoke with a female patient there. She described a male with short hair, clean cut facial hair with a denim hoodie, attempting to gain access through her open window by pushing the inner screen at 11:30 a.m. on May 7, 2025.
“She advised that the male had one arm in the window with his hand on the inner window ledge. In the other hand she saw an unknown item and heard it clink on the window. She heard the male speaking in a low gravelly voice but was unable to clearly hear what he said, something similar to "I will come." The man ran away when she called out to him. She didn't tell the nursing staff until the following morning. Clearwater members reached out to the off-site manager of the hospital who was seeking CCTV footage but were advised based on their initial review they did not observe anyone suspicious,” said Simpson.
Clearwater members provided a time frame and description to aid in a secondary review of the surveillance. A thorough foot patrol was completed of the treed area behind the hospital, and local known vagrant campsites, but nothing was found. Nothing found at scene, no evidence for FIS examination, no suspects, witnesses at this time, or video (follow up for secondary review). The patient and staff were encouraged to call immediately if suspicious person(s) are observed on the premises. This matter is still under investigation.
In total the Clearwater RCMP received 27 calls for service the first week of May.
