According to local police, a man driving at excessive speeds on Highway 97 is lucky to be alive after he crashed into Little Bridge Creek behind the Red Coach Inn on Nov. 2.
100 Mile House RCMP responded to a complaint of a Nissan Pathfinder travelling at a high rate of speed through Lac la Hache around 1:30 p.m. Friday.
They initiated a search, but had no licence plate code before the suspect was clocked on radar passing 108 Mile Ranch at 174 km/h.
While the police cruiser turned around and radioed other officers with the update, the Nissan continued on at extreme speeds past Tatton Station Road.
100 Mile House RCMP Staff Sgt. Brian Coldwell says police determined pursuit of the suspect vehicle was unsafe at such high speeds. Instead, officers got into position for an attempt to halt the car farther south with spike belts.
The vehicle sped south and crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic coming down the hill into 100 Mile House, causing northbound drivers to take evasive actions.
The driver lost control after crossing the raised meridian just south of Exeter Station Road and careened through two lanes of southbound traffic.
The incident ended abruptly after the Pathfinder smashed into a power pole and continued across an open field until becoming airborne, flipping over and crashing into the creek behind the inn.
“With the speed it was travelling, there was no time to intercept the vehicle safely before it crashed,” notes Coldwell.
Police and emergency crews arrived on scene within five minutes, and the driver was transported to 100 Mile District General Hospital for treatment of a scalp wound, and then he was released.
“The driver was extremely fortunate to have survived that crash,” Coldwell says, adding police believe he was wearing a seatbelt, which contributed to his lack of injuries.
It's uncommon to see vehicles speeding to that extent, he notes, especially during an icy road season.
One count of dangerous driving under the Criminal Code is being recommended to the Crown against the driver, a 31-year-old male resident of Prince George.
The investigation is continuing.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the man's driving or the subsequent collision to contact the 100 Mile RCMP at 250-395-2456, or stop by the detachment office at 726 Alpine Ave.