Third time unlucky for dangerous Kelowna motorcyclist

It took almost a month for Kelowna RCMP to finally nab the driver of a motorcycle that was seen weaving in and out of traffic on three separate occasions.

The chase started in downtown Kelowna on Feb. 9 when two motorcyclists were spotted weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed near Highway 97 and Ellis Street.

“RCMP officers followed the bikes from a safe distance, observed them make a U-turn, and travelling at a high rate of speed, began weaving in and out of traffic again,” a Kelowna RCMP news release says. “RCMP officers activated their emergency equipment and attempted to stop the bikes, however the drivers fled.”

On February 15, 2023, West Kelowna RCMP received a complaint of a blue motorcycle, which matched the description of one of the bikes in the earlier incident. It was driving dangerously on Highway 97. Several officers went after it but could not find it.

Then, on March 2, there were new reports of a blue Yamaha motorcycle driving dangerously on Highway 97 in West Kelowna.

Later that day, the Yamaha was spotted in an open garage in the 3000 block of McIver Road. There were two men outside the garage, one of whom was identified and arrested for dangerous driving. The bike was also seized.

“This was an outstanding job of police work with a collaborative effort,” Sgt. Mark Booth, with the Kelowna RCMP’s Traffic Services department, said in the news release. “I truly believe we saved this rider from inevitably sustaining serious/life altering injuries and prevented an innocent driver from enduring a traumatic event.”

Numerous charges will be recommended to the Crown prosecutor’s office.

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