Medical issues behind South Okanagan slow speed police chase

PENTICTION – An Oliver resident won’t likely face charges but will lose his license after leading police on a slow speed chase down Highway 97 south of Summerland last week.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says the 65-year-old driver of a white pickup truck was seen driving away from the Summerland 7-Eleven last Thursday, June 29 on a completely flat tire.

Summerland RCMP officers eventually spotting the man driving at a slow speed with four way flashers on, heading southbound on Highway 97 towards Penticton. The tire was completely destroyed, the vehicle’s tire rim taking chunks of pavement out of the road surface.

Wrigglesworth says the driver refused to heed police sirens, a loud hailer and officers shouting at him to stop. He looked directly at police but continued to ignore them until spike belts were deployed prior to the vehicle entering Penticton. The truck stopped, but then lurched forward suddenly before stopping again.

The man struggled with police, who took him into custody and was treated by B.C. Ambulance paramedics.

He showed no signs of intoxication, and was taken to hospital with suspected underlying medical issues.

Wrigglesworth says a consensus of opinion was reached between police, medical authorities and family to have the man’s license revoked, and as a result no charges will be laid in the incident.

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