An impaired driver sideswiped another vehicle, then tried to pull the other driver out of their vehicle once they had both stopped at an intersection, West Shore RCMP say.
On May 31 around 6:35 p.m., the driver of a 1990 Suzuki carry pickup truck allegedly sideswiped a 2010 Toyota Yaris, then the two vehicles came to a stop at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Kelly Road.
The driver of the truck then allegedly got out of his vehicle, approached the driver of the Yaris and tried to physically pull them from the vehicle.
The truck driver, who police say is a 31-year-old Metchosin man, was exhibiting signs of being impaired by alcohol, so he was required to provide a breath sample and he blew a “fail” reading, West Shore RCMP says.
He was issued a 90-day roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
The driver of the Yaris was unharmed and did not want to pursue assault charges.
RELATED: West Shore RCMP says impaired driving up 17% this year
ICBC says 21 per cent of fatal crashes in B.C. involve impaired driving, which accounts to 61 deaths per year.
Penalties for being caught driving impaired range from driving suspensions between 24 hours to 90 days, vehicle impoundment, fines from $600 to $4,060, jail time, mandatory rehabilitation and installation of an ignition interlock device.
ICBC says 53 per cent of impaired-driving crashes happen on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and 36 per cent take place between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Of those who are caught driving impaired, 69 per cent are men.
ICBC crash stats show there were 171 crashes at the Kelly Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway between 2018 and 2022.
Laura Brougham
