A commercial truck driver potentially faces charges after being stopped by police as a result of an erratic driving complaint received Sunday evening.
The West Kelowna RCMP received a report June 11 at 8:45 p.m., of an erratic and possibly impaired driver, of a fully loaded commercial B-train tractor trailer unit, seen swerving all over the 3500 block of Carrington Road in West Kelowna. An officer quickly caught up with the commercial vehicle, later determined to be hauling in excess of 100,000 pounds of lumber, in the area of the Auburn Road industrial park.
The attending officer detected possible signs of signs of alcohol intoxication during his initial interaction with the commercial vehicles operator. The investigator subsequently provided the driver with a demand who then provided samples of his breath roadside which resulted in a fail.
As a result, the investigator provided the driver with another demand. He was subsequently taken to the Kelowna RCMP Detachment where he provided breath samples in excess of two times the legal limit.
“The RCMP wish to thank those motorists who called in to report the erratic driving behaviour,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, in a press release.
“It is as a result of the actions of those concerned members of the motoring public and the officers at the scene that may have averted a tragedy and save someone’s life this weekend.”
The driver, a 41-year-old Surrey man, was issued a driving prohibition under the Motor Vehicle Act and faces potential criminal charges. He was later released from police custody and is expected to appear in Court on September 12, 2017.
If you witnessed the driving behaviour of the commercial vehicle stopped by police you are asked to contact Cst. Kent Hall of the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.