Impaired Osoyoos driver collides with utility pole

OSOYOOS – An Osoyoos driver who can’t keep from getting behind the wheel faces an impaired driving charge following an incident in the community earlier this week.

Osoyoos RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Jason Bayda said in a press release issued Feb.15, RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision on Highway 97 just north of 67 Street on Feb. 14 around 5:10 p.m.

A witness reported a 2007 Chevrolet LS was travelling southbound at a high rate of speed when lost control and went off the road into a utility pole.

The pole was severed at its base and leaned over the vehicle, yet remained suspended, being held by utility lines.

The incident resulted in Highway 97 being closed in both directions until 8 p.m.

Police discovered the vehicle had been equipped with an impaired interlock device, in spite of the fact  the 47 year old driver displayed signs of impairment.

He was taken to hospital for assessment and later provided breath samples showing a blood alcohol concentration of 2 1/2 times more than the legal limit.

The driver, who has a previous history of impaired driving, faces another criminal code impaired driving charge.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.