VicPD arrested a man Friday evening after his erratic driving escalated to ramming a police cruiser and injuring an officer.
The incident began shortly after 11:30 p.m. on January 15th while an officer was travelling in the 600-block of Finlayson Street.
He was on his way to an unrelated call when a minivan approached his police vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.
The minivan was travelling at high speed and crossed the centre line of the road, narrowly missing the officer’s vehicle.
It continued to drive dangerously in the area at a high rate of speed, closely approaching the police vehicle several times.
The minivan then fled the scene, with the officer in pursuit due to the risk of public safety posed by the suspect’s erratic driving.
When the chase led to a parking lot at a multi-unit temporary housing facility in the 3000-block of Blanshard Street, the minivan suddenly rammed the police vehicle.
The collision caused damage to both vehicles and caused non-life-threatening injuries to the officer.
The minivan then fled at high speed, lost control and struck a cement retaining wall nearby. VicPD and Saanich Police officers arrested the driver at that location.
He was taken to hospital, cleared medically and taken to VicPD cells to await a court appearance.
The injured officer received medical attention on scene and was unable to complete his shift.
“We are thinking of the officer who was involved in the incident last night and their family,” said Chief Del Manak.
“We are thankful that the officer was not seriously injured or killed in this incident.”
The incident is still under investigation. Anyone who witnessed this incident or who may have information is asked to call VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
Those who wish to report information anonymously can call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
