Police Alert – Accidents in Shawnigan Lake

Shawnigan Lake RCMP and Shawnigan Lake Volunteer Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident at the corner of Cameron Taggart and Shawnigan Lake Road at approximately 1155 PM on Saturday night.  As a result of the accident, power was disrupted for approximately four hours.  Investigation to date reveals witnesses observing an older red Ford Ranger striking a downed power line.  The two males got out of the truck and stated ” let’s get out of here” or words to that effect.  Police originally were searching for the red pick up as described by witnesses.  The driver of the Ford Ranger then called from a nearby pub and advised they had hit the downed power line but did not cause the destruction.   The investigation in regards to this accident is ongoing, no charges have been laid to date.  RCMP remind folks that should they be involved in an accident to call RCMP right away and remain on scene.

A second pick up, a Ford F350 was located by a Shawnigan fire fighter  at approximately the same time down a steep embankment with no one in the vehicle.  South Island RCMP Police Dog Services were contacted and tracked the scent for a distance however police later learned the female driver was picked up walking down the road.  ” Investigator’s on scene advise there is no way she should have walked away from this accident, barefoot no less.  The impact was so great the trucks battery landed 40-50 feet away from the vehicle.  The driver of this accident caused thousand’s of dollar’s in damage including two Hydro poles , a Shaw Pole and a private residences fence.”

The 35 year old local female driver was located four hours later in the Cobble Hill area.  She was arrested for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle under the Criminal Code of Canada as well as Leave the Scene of an accident.  She is to appear in Duncan Provincial Court on June 11th, 2013.

 

Sgt. Rob WEBB

Shawnigan Lake RCMP

Detachment Commander