What started as a routine tire check for Pemberton police ended in the arrest of a prolific offender with dozens of outstanding arrest warrants, police said in a release.
At about 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, police stopped a driver to check for winter tires on Highway 99 and Vine Road. During the stop, officers learned the licence plates had been reported stolen in Alberta.
The driver, a 25-year-old Whitehorse man, was subsequently arrested. Investigators soon discovered the suspect was a prohibited driver Canada-wide and had 34 outstanding warrants from Alberta and Yukon.
The man was held for court in North Vancouver this week.
Two-car crash closes Highway 99 near Brandywine Falls
A two-vehicle accident closed a stretch of Highway 99 near Brandywine Falls last week and led to several injuries, police said in a release.
The collision took place around 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10 after police said a Toyota Prius was travelling southbound on the highway and failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The vehicle slid into oncoming northbound traffic and collided with a GMC Envoy, police said.
Three individuals were able to remove themselves from the vehicle with minor injuries, while another had to be extricated by firefighters and was taken to hospital with serious injuries, police said.
Investigators said “it appeared that one of the vehicles was not equipped with winter tires,” which are legally required during the winter months on the Sea to Sky Highway.
The same day, Squamish RCMP conducted a winter tire check on Highway 99, assessing 816 vehicles and said all were compliant with provincial regulations.
Whistler police continue to investigate the crash and are asking any witness who have not yet spoke to police to contact the detachment at 604-932-3044, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous.
Lost engine block creates ‘hazardous situation’ along Highway 99
Whistler police issued a young driver a ticket after a full-sized engine block fell from the back of his pickup truck along Highway 99 last week, police said in a release.
At approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, Whistler RCMP responded to the incident at Highway 99 and Village Gate Boulevard. The 19-year-old driver of the vehicle told police he lost a Cadillac engine block from the back of his truck while navigating a corner.
Police contacted a tow company to remove the engine block. The driver was issued a ticket for operating a vehicle with an insecure load.
“RCMP want to remind the public that transporting cargo on a public roadway requires you comply with all Motor Vehicle Act and Motor Vehicle Regulations,” the release continued. “Drivers of vehicles can be held responsible should damage or injury result due to something not being properly secured.”
