A 55-year-old Coldstream man has been handed a 90-day driving prohibition after police said he was caught speeding and appeared unaware an officer was following him.
BC Highway Patrol said an officer was travelling along Highway 6 in Coldstream when a red Corvette passed the patrol vehicle at 120 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.
The officer activated his emergency lights and siren, but the driver continued without stopping.
Police said the driver appeared unaware of the officer behind him and continued accelerating along the highway.
The speed limit eventually dropped to 50 km/h, but police said the Corvette continued travelling at speeds of up to 120 km/h.
The driver eventually pulled into a nearby shopping plaza and stopped after realizing a police vehicle was following him.
Police said the officer conducted a mandatory alcohol screening, which resulted in two fail readings.
The man’s driver’s licence was seized, and he received a 90-day driving prohibition and a ticket for excessive speeding. His vehicle was also impounded for 30 days.
Police said the driver faces approximately $2,400 in costs, including impound fees, administrative penalties, high-risk driver premiums and a licence reinstatement fee.
“Police find intoxicated people at all times of the day who are incapable of observing what’s going on around them,” Sgt. Micheal McLaughlin with the BC Highway Patrol said. “This is a graphic illustration of one of the reasons that impaired driving is so dangerous.”
McLaughlin said impaired driving can have fatal consequences and leave motorists facing significant financial penalties and embarrassment.
“You don’t want to be that guy.”
