By Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck

Over the last week Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment officers responded to about 65 calls for service. Below is a small sample of those calls.

Rifle shot reported, investigated

During the afternoon of December 21, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a possible rifle gunshot within the municipal village limits of Radium Hot Springs. The complainant reported that the shot sounded like a high-powered rifle and that it was shot outside. Police attended the area and spoke with a construction company that was working in the area. They confirmed they were doing construction inside one of the new condos and were in the process of hanging drywall. They were using a screw gun, which emits quite a bang. Nevertheless, police still did extensive patrols of the area but could not find anything else that may have made the noise.

ATM damaged

On the morning of December 22 an employee of the Kootenay Savings Credit Union called to report some damage to one of the bank machines in the Invermere branch. The police are in the process of obtaining some video surveillance and following up with this evidence.

Three-car crash

On December 23, at about 5 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a call of a motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles at the corner of Athalmer Road and Lakeview Drive, near Invermere; no injuries were reported. RCMP members attended the collision to conduct their investigation and assist with moving vehicles as the vehicles were not drive-able after the collision. It was determined that the driver of a blue Volkswagen Jetta was driving east on Athalmer Road when they collided into a blue Infinity heading west on Athalmer Road and attempting to turn left onto Lakeview Drive. The driver turning left did not see the oncoming traffic and proceeded to turn. This collision resulted into both vehicles sliding into another car that was sitting at a red light.  The driver of the left turning vehicle was given a violation ticket for failing to yield to vehicle- green light.

Christmas keying

On Christmas Day, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report that a vehicle had been keyed while parked in the underground parking lot of one of the hotels in Panorama Mountain Resort. Police are asking that if anyone saw someone committing this mischief or has heard of someone bragging about it, they call the detachment or Crimestoppers.

Elk crash at Dutch Creek

During the evening hours of December 26, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report that someone had hit an elk on Highway 93/95 at Fairmont Hot Springs. The driver was operating a Hyundai Tuscon north when they hit the elk by the Dutch Creek Bridge; the driver sustained a minor injury as they hit their head on the steering wheel.

The past week saw about 27 motor vehicle incidents, most of which were related to the icy road conditions.

– Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment Commander

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