On Friday, May 23 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Const. Van Woudenberg was northbound on Highway 5 coming into Clearwater when he observed a red sedan driving towards him at a high rate of speed.
Clearwater RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Grant Simpson said in a news release that Van Woudenberg checked his radar and clocked the vehicle in at 128 km/h in the 60 km/h zone. Const. Van Woudenberg pulled to the shoulder and waited for a truck to pass before turning to look for the vehicle.
“He soon located it crashed in the open area near the Clearwater Bridge," noted Simpson. "Const. Van Woudenberg checked all over for a driver, but no one was found. The red 2007 Infinity G35X, had crashed through the concrete island on the Highway 5 intersection and drove off the roadway 100 meters into the open area. Only the sandy ground in the area prevented a potential fatality. Cst. Van Woudenberg took photos and taped off the car.”
At 12:52 a.m., Clearwater RCMP received a call from the ‘owner’ advising his vehicle, a red Infinity G35X, had just been stolen, Simpson said.
"He heard it start and he still had the keys. No surveillance or suspects. Const. Van Woudenberg attended the ‘owner’s’ residence and confronted him. He admitted to being the driver and that the vehicle had not actually been stolen. While not usable, the driver agreed to a breath test and blew a warn.”
Simpson said the vehicle was left for the driver to tow himself, as it was not on the roadway, and highway crews advised of the broken concrete islands.
An accident report was completed and delivered to the driver’s address where his mother received it, and a copy emailed to ICBC.
Violation tickets for excessive speed, fail to remain at scene of accident and insecure, running vehicle were served on the driver owner. The investigation is ongoing.
A 62-year-old Vavenby man attended the detachment on Sunday May 25 to report that a 54-year-old woman keyed his truck.
“In speaking to the complainant, it was determined that he had no evidence to support his claim (no witness, no video, no admission) and that he merely suspected it was this woman because they had an argument about ten days prior," Simpson said. "The complainant demanded the woman be charged, however Cpl. McGeorge explained that unless police were somehow able to prove she scratched the car charges where unlikely. The complainant became quite angry saying that the woman also threatened to ‘kick his ass’ back on May 16.”
Queries indicate that on this date, the complainant was spoken to by Constables Tobin and Maibauer and never reported his concerns then.
The complainant advised it was because he isn't scared of her and isn't a ‘rat’.
“Cpl. McGeorge advised that due to the time delay, that he clearly wasn't concerned about his safety and was merely alerting police to try and get some sort of revenge for what he believes is the woman scratching his car," Simpson said, noting Cpl. McGeorge advised the complainant that based on the evidence there was no substantial likelihood of a conviction. The complainant ultimately understood.
This past week the Clearwater RCMP responded to 23 calls for service.
