BCHP - Parksville seeking witnesses after motorcycle fails to stop and strikes officer

Island District, BC Highway Patrol

2023-07-11 16:00 PDT

File # BCHP Parksville 2023-1270

On July 7, 2023 at approximately 5:00pm, officers with BC Highway Patrol – Parksville were conducting enforcement operations on Highway # 1 near Smiley Road south of Chemainus, BC.

A northbound motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed illegally passed several motorists as well as two fully-marked police vehicles. Due to public safety concerns, the officers did not pursue the motorcycle, however radioed ahead to their colleagues.

Approximately 20 minutes later, the motorcycle was spotted by uniformed officers on foot conducting traffic enforcement on Highway # 1 southbound in a posted construction zone near Mount Sicker Road where traffic funnels into one lane of travel. The motorcycle was again passing vehicles illegally. Traffic was halted and a uniformed officer raised his hand in an attempt to get the motorcycle to stop. The motorcycle accelerated, striking and knocking the officer to the roadway causing non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect then struck and damaged a police motorcycle prior to fleeing at a high rate of speed. No description of the motorcycle or rider is available.

Chief Superintendent Holly Turton, Officer in Charge of BC Highway Patrol said: Failing to stop when directed to do so puts police, motorcyclists, and/or other road users at risk for serious injury and harm. When police signal for you to pull over please follow this direction as required by Section 73 of the Motor Vehicle Act, thereby making our highways safer together.

BCHP – Parksville are urgently seeking any witness information related to this incident and are appealing to motorists who may have been in the area to please check their dash cam video. Witnesses are asked to contact Sergeant Rob Haney of BCHP – Parksville at 250-954-2950.

Released by:

Email: bchp_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/highway-patrol

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