Two impaired crashes eighteen minutes apart in Mission

First responders were kept busy in Mission on Sunday evening, after two impaired drivers caused crashes eighteen minutes apart.

Click here for large photo of crash scene

At 5:52 pm on June 2, Mission RCMP were called to a serious multi-vehicle crash on Lougheed Highway west of Oliver Street. A white Subaru had been travelling east on Lougheed Highway when it struck a large puddle and hydroplaned, side-swiping a travel trailer, then crashing head-on with a westbound SUV. Five people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 26-year-old male driver of the Subaru showed signs of impairment, and was taken to the Mission RCMP detachment, where he provided breath samples well over the legal limit. The man was issued a driving prohibition, and an impaired driving investigation is underway.

While police were still at that collision scene, another crash was reported at 6:10 pm – this one a singe-vehicle rollover on Stave Lake Street in the area of Frog Hill. Mission RCMP responded and found a brown Honda CRV upside down in the ditch, with the driver still trapped inside. Mission Fire and Rescue Service helped to extricate the driver, who also showed signs of impairment, and had numerous empty liquor containers inside her vehicle. The 47-year-old female was transported to hospital for her injuries, and an impaired-driving investigation is ongoing.

Mission RCMP highlights the first crash as an example of the dangers associated to impaired driving. While an impaired driver might be able to navigate the roadways in perfect conditions, when the unexpected happens – such as hydroplaning through pooling water – an impaired driver’s decreased reaction time can lead to a devastating crash, whereas a sober driver is more likely to be able to react quickly and get their vehicle under control. #ExpectTheUnexpected.