Skip to content

Suspected impaired driver in Saanich loses wheel, sees van catch on fire

Driver hit a curb
33039265_web1_230615-SNE-impaired-van_1
A driver in Saanich is being investigated for impaired driving by drugs after his vehicle hit a curb, lost a wheel and then caught fire. (Saanich police photo)

A driver in Saanich is being investigated for impaired driving by drugs after his vehicle hit a curb, lost a wheel and then caught fire.

On Wednesday, June 14, at 8:15 p.m., several witnesses reported to police that an erratic driver was swerving all over the road and hit a curb on Cook Street near Quadra Street. The driver continued until Douglas Street at Saanich Road, where he eventually stopped after his vehicle lost its front tire and caught on fire.

The driver was initially taken to the hospital but later transported to the Saanich Police Department for a drug recognition evaluation test.

The driver is facing criminal charges for refusing to comply with a demand, was issued a 90-day driving prohibition and will appear in court in August.

“Over the past week we have investigated several impaired drivers, the circumstances of which were all preventable,” said Const. Markus Anastasiades, in a statement. “While no persons were seriously injured in any of these recent incidents, impaired driving still remains the single most important factor contributing to serious road crashes and one of our top traffic enforcement priorities at the Saanich Police Department. We would like to thank everyone that continues to call 911 to report possible impaired drivers, as your effort helps us work collectively towards safer roads in B.C.”

READ MORE: Driver takes out beach benches on notorious Victoria ‘drag race strip’



Chris Campbell

About the Author: Chris Campbell

I joined the Victoria News hub as an editor in 2023, bringing with me over 30 years of experience from community newspapers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
Read more