Two accused of stealing truck, taking owner for a harrowing ride in Kamloops are charged

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – A man and woman face charges arising from an incident where the owner of a flatbed truck was seen clinging to the back of the vehicle as it careened through Kamloops, B.C.

RCMP said Crystal Dorrington and Derrick Pearson are accused of assault with a weapon, theft over $5,000 and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

The truck was stolen last Friday, and on Wednesday the owner spotted the vehicle and tried to prevent it from being taken again.

Francis Payette said he jumped onto the flatbed when the pair in the cab started to drive away. He said throughout the ordeal, the driver tried to dislodge him by swerving aggressively before crashing the truck into a field, where it burst into flames.

Police said the truck hit a power pole and three other vehicles and reached speeds of 100 kilometres per hour before it crashed, adding Payette wasn't hurt.

The two people inside the truck were arrested and taken to hospital with minor injuries.

RCMP said police should always be contacted about any crime in progress and it's fortunate no pedestrians or other drivers were hurt, but Payette said he had no choice but to leap onto the truck.

"What do you do? Say goodbye to your truck and continue (to see) them doing more crime? Or let's put an end to this," he said.

(CHNL)

This report from The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2019.