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Two hurt in crash at Juniper Heights turnoff
Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac
At 6 p.m. on Sept. 18, Columbia Valley Detachment attended to a two-vehicle accident on Highway 95/93 at Juniper Heights.
A ‘94 BMW motorcycle driven by a 49-year-old male from Valemount rear-ended a pickup truck driven by a 58-year-old male from Invermere as the pickup had slowed down to turn right onto Juniper Heights. The motorcycle driver and female passenger were flown to hospital in Calgary with non-life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation.
School zones active again
School patrols are back in operation for the 2014/2015 school year. Watch your speed and be mindful of the kids walking and biking to school. Or else!
Unlocked car breached in Invermere
At 4 p.m. on Sept. 19, the detachment received a complaint of a wallet stolen out of an unlocked vehicle in the 1300 block 12th Ave. Only 90 more sleeps; thieves will take advantage of unlocked cars to do some early Christmas shopping.
Harassing phone calls
At 4:35 p.m. on Sept. 20, Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint of criminal harassment involving numerous unwanted phone calls being made to the victim.
Man spoken to about replica gun
At 8:10 p.m. on Sept. 20, the detachment received a complaint concerning the behavior of a business owner in Radium Hot Springs who continues to wear a replica gun in public.
In this instance the adult male pointed a toy gun at an eight-year-old as a joke while holstering the replica gun. The child became scared to the point the mother reported his actions to the police. The replica gun was observed by the mother, which heightened her concerns.
The male has been spoken to. Any further such complaints should be reported to the police for possible follow up with Crown. It’s one thing for kids to play with toy guns with each other but when an adult unexpectedly does so, it will seldom be taken as simple kids play.
Arrested for drunk in public
At 12:16 a.m. on Sept. 21, Detachment members responded to a disturbance complaint involving an intoxicated male in Edgewater. The male continued his aggressive behavior and was arrested for drunk in public.
Neighbour’s quick action saves garage
Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a residence in the 5000 block of Wills Road in Fairmont Hot Springs at 3 p.m. Sept. 21 to assist the Fairmont Fire Department with a garage fire. It is believed that cigarettes or a candle may have started the fire in the garage. Quick action by a neighbor put the fire out before serious damage could be done.
Paraglider’s experience aids in safe landing
At 4:55 p.m. on Sept. 21, the detachment received a report of a paraglider going down into the trees off Mount Swansea. The male, an experienced paraglider, managed to land without causing any injuries to himself. The male was picked up and driven back to his car.
Impaired driver crashes near RCMP station
At 7 p.m. on Sept. 21, detachment members responded to a single vehicle accident on Athalmer Road near the Detachment. A 2012 Nissan Titan driven by a 51-year-old male from Radium went off road and collided with a utility pole cutting it in half.
The lone driver was uninjured and displayed signs of having consumed alcohol. An ASD demand was read and the driver failed. The vehicle was impounded and the driver’s licence prohibited for 90 days.
Lesson for the Day
While stationed in Rossland we worked closely with Canada Customs as the Patterson border to Washington State was close by.
Canada Customs had seized a loaded handgun from under the driver’s seat of a car with children inside it. I was called in to assist as the owner of the gun was causing a disturbance.
I arrived and when I asked the American driver what the problem was he was livid as he was being stripped of his Constitutional right to bear arms. Had to calm him down; so I asked him to step outside. I walked him close to the marker that separated the States from Canada. I asked him if he heard of the phrase, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do?” He acknowledged he was aware of the phrase.
I pointed to the border marker and advised him on the other side of the marker is the United States of America. I then informed him that we are now on the other side and I said, “Welcome to Rome.” Explained it was better that Customs found and seized the gun rather than the police down the road. He was one upset American so I didn’t add salt to his wound and bring up their little jaunt into Canada in 1812.
Lead image: The turnoff to Juniper Heights, off Highway 93/95, has been the site of numerous accidents in the past couple of decades. Several attempts have been made by previous elected officials and area residents to have a speed restriction established or to have the traffic flow improved but to date nothing has been done. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
