On January 8, 2019 at around 8:30PM a Saanich Police Officer was driving west in the 1100 Block of Royal Oak Dr (near Lochside Elementary School). The officer observed a 2017 black Ford Fusion travelling east on Royal Oak Dr at a high rate of speed.
The Ford Fusion was attempting to overtake another east bound vehicle and was travelling at around 120 km/h in the 50 km/h zone. As the Ford Fusion was now driving into oncoming traffic the officer had to take evasive action in order not to be hit. As the vehicle passed the officer was able to conduct a U-turn, in order to pull him over, however the offending vehicle was already out of sight.
A block away, at the intersection of Royal Oak Dr/Cordova Bay Rd, the vehicle had been unable to negotiate the curve in the road and crashed. The driver was identified as a 21 year old Saanich man and was arrested at the scene for Dangerous Driving. The driver has since been released from custody and will appear before the courts in February 2019.
“This was a tremendously dangerous situation” said Sgt. Jereme Leslie. “The actions of the driver put the public at significant risk and it’s extremely lucky no one was using the sidewalk were the vehicle left the road. Someone could have easily been injured or killed.”
Saanich Police were able to identify two witnesses who had been standing on the sidewalk near the crash and are asking for other witnesses to come forward. If you witnessed this incident, or observed the vehicles driving behaviour prior to the crash, we’re asking you to call us at 250-475-4321.
Sgt. Jereme Leslie #228
SPD File 19-00659 refers