RCMP believe teen was impaired by drugs in early morning Metchosin crash

Police believe drugs were a factor in a single-vehicle crash that injured two people in Metchosin early Monday morning.

West Shore RCMP says officers were called to the 4200-block of Metchosin Road for a report of a car driving erratically and crashing into a power pole around 6:40 a.m.

One caller told police that it appeared the driver of the car, a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo, was falling asleep at the wheel.

Emergency crews, including police, paramedics and the Metchosin Fire Department went to the scene and located the damaged car with two people inside.

Once there, Mounties say the driver, an 18-year-old, was showing signs of drug impairment.

“Police conducted an impaired driving investigation which included an examination of the driver by a drug recognition expert who determined the driver was exhibiting symptoms of being impaired by drugs,” said RCMP in a release Wednesday.

Police handed the driver a 24-hour driving ban and towed his car from the scene.

He also provided a breath sample and urine sample to police, and Mounties say they will likely recommend charges of drug impairment, depending on the results of the urine analysis.

SEE ALSO: West Shore RCMP says impaired driving up 17% this year

“Both the driver and passenger of the vehicle suffered minor injuries and are lucky that they were not seriously injured,” said said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, media relations officer with the West Shore RCMP.

“We want to thank the multiple callers who reported this to police right away,” she added.

READ MORE: Suspected impaired driver arrested in Saanich after hitting police vehicle

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