Penticton driver blames voices in his head for fleeing police

PENTICTON – A Penticton driver, who told police he was listening to voices in his head, has been charged in connection with trying to get RCMP to chase him.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says officers attempted to stop a purple van at Skaha Lake Road and Galt Avenue on Dec. 16 after a check of the vehicle’s plates listed the registered owner as a prohibited driver.

The driver fled at a high rate of speed but was not pursued by police. It was seen heading south out of the city past the airport.

At around 4 a.m., the suspect pulled up beside a RCMP cruiser parked at the Kaleden Petro-Canada gas station and told the officer voices in his head told him to try and cause the earlier pursuit.

The suspect was arrested for prohibited driving and he was subsequently released on a promise to appear in court.

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