A driver has been arrested and is now facing impaired driving charges following a reckless incident that not only endangered lives but also sparked a small grass fire in Saanich.
On Monday, June 12th, at approximately 1 p.m., Saanich Police responded to a report about an erratic driver travelling on West Saanich Road near Quadra Street.
The vehicle, missing a front wheel, prompted immediate concern among witnesses who dialed emergency services.
Related: Two impaired drivers attempted to flee Saanich police in separate incidents
Police officers located the disabled vehicle in the 4200-block of Glanford Avenue. It had come to a halt after its entire passenger-side wheel assembly had broken.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the driver was promptly arrested.
Breath tests administered at the police station revealed that the driver was found to be almost two times over the legal alcohol limit.
Further investigation revealed that the suspicious vehicle had been first reported approximately 30 minutes earlier in the 1400 block of Admirals Road in View Royal.
Despite traveling several kilometers into Saanich on just three tires, the impaired driver had garnered multiple calls to the police along the way.
Additionally, the damaged vehicle’s sparks ignited a small grass fire on the shoulder of Glanford Road, prompting a response from the fire department.
Saanich Police have recommended pressing charges against the impaired driver including for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and impaired driving over .08.
