Columbia Valley RCMP Report

By S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac

At 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment officers responded to a single vehicle accident 2.5 km past Panorama Mountain Village, to assist BC Ambulance.

It was determined that a group of males were returning from a bush party, with a 41-year-old male in the bed of a 2003 GMC. At one point friends looked back and realized that the male was no longer in the back of the pickup.

The driver turned the vehicle around and located the male on the road with serious head injuries. The injured male was flown by STARS to Calgary.

Investigation determined that all involved had been drinking. A breath demand was read to the 29-year-old male driver from Panorama.

The driver blew over the limit and has been charged with Impaired Driving, Drive over .08. Crown will determine if an additional charge of Criminal Negligence causing injury will be laid.

Intoxicated woman hurting self apprehended

At 3:40 a.m. on Oct. 23, detachment members responded to an intoxicated 46-year-old female in the 1400 block of 13th Avenue who was causing injury to herself. The subject was apprehended and taken to the hospital for care.

Tipsy paddlers okay

The detachment received a call at 3:49 a.m. on Oct. 24 from a citizen residing near the lake hearing sounds of distress on the lake. Police attended and located a canoe that had obviously taken on water. Further witnesses directed the police to a residence where three slightly intoxicated males were located. The males indicated that they indeed found themselves in the water but were able to get back to their house. No injuries sustained.

Better safe than sorry

The detachment received a report from a concerned citizen regarding a possible impaired driver at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. The vehicle and the 20-year-old driver were located on Hwy 93/95. Roadside tests were conducted and the driver was determined to not be impaired.

The detachment receives numerous reports with similar concerns from citizens. Efforts are made to locate the vehicle and take appropriate action if necessary. Better safe than sorry.

Past curfew

A vehicle check over the weekend resulted in a 22-year-old male from Invermere being charged with Breach of Probation when it was determined he was out past his curfew. The check occurred at 1 a.m. on Oct. 25.

Disturbance checks turns up negative

At 10:56 p.m. on Oct. 25, the detachment received a complaint of disturbance involving a female yelling and screaming near the art gallery. Patrols were conducted with negative results. The complainant believed the female was intoxicated at the time.

Constable talks distraught male to hospital

The detachment received a complaint on Oct. 26 from a concerned citizen about a friend indicating he would hurt himself. Cst. Myers was able to make phone contact with the male and after a lengthy period of conversation was able to convince the 48-year-old male to reveal where he was. Cst. Myers met with the male and convinced him to attend the hospital.

We wear many hats

While on patrol last week I came upon a pitbull dog wearing a halter around the body hoofing it north bound on Hwy 93/95.

I’m familiar with some of the dogs in the area; however, this was a new dog and it just didn’t look right. I turned around and as I got near the dog turned on my emergency lights to warn oncoming traffic. Anyone who observed this and saw me get out of the car probably thought, ‘smart move putting on the emergency lights in case the dog bolts out onto the highway.’ If one thought that, they were wrong.

The smart move was I wanted witnesses to stop the bleeding and take me to the hospital. Once out of the car I yell “Yo” and the pitbull immediately stops and looks at me with the best impression of Robert De Niro’s “you talking to me?”

I was somewhat apprehensive making the next command. “Come here.” This is where it was important to know that of all the cars stopped, someone surely has First Aid training.

To my surprise the dog wandered across the highway to my police vehicle wagging his tail. I quickly became aware the Pitbull was well trained and rather friendly. My thanks to Invermere Veterinary Clinic for the food and leash as well as Damion Richard, animal control, for taking custody of my new found friend and locating the owner.

PS: Had a gentleman this week come into the office seeking a solution to a problem? He commented that he reads my police report and articles and I seem to have all the answers. I was pleased to hear that somebody finally got it.

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