Police have cracked a bizarre case after a driver launched a truck into a Saanich home last week, causing damage to the house as well as the homeowner’s vehicle.
The truck drove down a steep embankment after leaving the road near Ravine Way and Vernon Avenue, and smashed into the home in the 800-block of Nigel Street – just metres away from where a little girl was sleeping.
None of the occupants of the home were injured.
The driver was seen by at least one witness running away from the scene, but police couldn’t track down the man despite the use of a K9 unit.
Saanich Police initially believed the vehicle was stolen after speaking with its registered owner.
But on Friday, they confirmed the owner has confessed to being behind the wheel.
“The driver has stated that they fell asleep at the wheel and panicked when they found themselves in the damaged vehicle, pinned between the residents and a retaining wall,” said Saanich Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Eassie. “We appreciate that the driver has now come forward with this information, but wish that they would have done so at the time of the incident.”
The driver, a 37-year-old Central Saanich man, has been issued a ticket for failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
ICBC is also investigating the crash.
No charges have been laid.
