The BC Highway Patrol’s Parksville division are looking for witnesses after a motorcycle failed to stop for police officers, resulting in a collision with a uniformed officer.
The incident occurred at around 5 p.m. on July 7th on Highway #1 near Smiley Road, south of Chemainus.
According to reports, officers from the BC Highway Patrol – Parksville were conducting enforcement operations when they noticed a northbound motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed.
Police said the motorcycle illegally passed multiple motorists and two fully-marked police vehicles. Due to public safety concerns, the officers chose not to pursue the motorcycle but alerted officers down the road.
#IslandDistrict – BCHP – Parksville seeking witnesses after motorcycle fails to stop and strikes officer https://t.co/D7NCXya5zq
— BC Highway Patrol (@BCHwyPatrol) July 11, 2023
Approximately 20 minutes later, uniformed officers on foot, conducting traffic enforcement in a posted construction zone near Mount Sicker Road, spotted the motorcycle—once again passing vehicles illegally.
In an attempt to bring the motorcycle to a stop, a uniformed officer raised his hand while traffic was halted. However, the motorcyclist chose to accelerate, striking the officer and causing non-life-threatening injuries after he fell to the roadway.
Before fleeing the scene at a high speed, the suspect also damaged a police motorcycle. Unfortunately, no description of the motorcycle or rider is available at this time.
“Failing to stop when directed to do so puts police, motorcyclists, and other road users at risk for serious injury and harm,” Chief Superintendent Holly Turton, Officer in Charge of BC Highway Patrol.
“When police signal for you to pull over please follow this direction as required by Section 73 of the Motor Vehicle Act, thereby making our highways safer together,” she said.
The BC Highway Patrol – Parksville is urgently requesting any information from witnesses who were present during the incident. Motorists who were in the area are encouraged to review their dash cam footage for any relevant evidence. Those with information are asked to contact Sergeant Rob Haney of the BCHP – Parksville at 250-954-2950.
Police are urgently seeking any witnesses to the incident and are appealing to motorists who may have been in the area to check their dashcam video.
Anyone with information are asked to contact Sergeant Rob Haney of the BCHP – Parksville at 250-954-2950.
