On Dec. 23 at 12:55 a.m., Smithers RCMP received a report of a single vehicle collision with a telephone pole on Owens Road near Highway 16 just west of Smithers. The driver was observed attempting to get his vehicle out of the ditch and then running into the forest.
Police attended the scene, searched the wooded area and located an intoxicated male. He was the registered owner of the damaged Dodge truck. Witnesses identified the male as the driver.
The owner of the truck was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and provided breath samples above the legal limit. The 23-year-old Smithers male was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and a 90-day notice of driving prohibition which commences in 21 days. He was released on a document to appear in court to answer criminal code charges of operation of a motor vehicle while impaired and operation with a blood-alcohol level over .08.
Submitted by Staff Sgt. Rob Mitchell
Smithers RCMP