Man arrested, another in critical condition after suspected vehicle theft in Parksville
A 21-year-old man has been arrested in Parksville, B.C., after a suspected vehicle theft resulted in another man being airlifted to hospital.
Police say they were called to a report of a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Wembley Road and Reid Road at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday and found a crashed pickup as well as an injured man.
According to Sgt. Steve Rose of Oceanside RCMP, the injured man had tried to jump onto or into the pickup at a nearby residence in order to prevent the theft from taking place. The man was an acquaintance of the vehicle’s owner.
“As the driver accelerated and transited from Reid Road onto Wembley Road, because of the speed, he went into the ditch on the opposing side which is what likely caused the injured party to be pushed against the vehicle coming to rest in the ditch," Rose said.
The 28-year-old who fell off the vehicle was airlifted to hospital and remains in critical but stable condition Thursday.
The search then began for the suspect. Police already had the man’s name and description and direction of travel. He was located quickly by highway patrol officers.
“The 21-year-old Parksville man who was the driver of the pickup truck was located a short time later down on the beachfront and he was arrested and will be facing several charges approved by the Crown," Rose said.
“That includes dangerous driving causing bodily harm, theft of motor vehicle, driving while prohibited and also failing to remain after an accident causing bodily harm."
Residents in the neighbourhood say the home where the incident began has been a frequent source of complaints to police.
Police won’t comment on the home’s past history but say the owner of the truck, the friend who tried to prevent the theft and the driver who fled in the pickup were all known to each other.
“The parties involved and the witnesses that police spoke to yesterday are known to each other and some of them do have a history with the police,” Rose said.
Police say the situation could have been dangerous..
“Definitely dangerous to both persons who live in that vicinity and the motoring public who happened to be on the roadway as this vehicle was trying to flee and certainly fleeing from that scene after being involved with the crash also suggests that the person responsible wasn’t overly concerned about what had transpired," Rose said..
The pickup was uninsured and was being worked on at the home before it was involved in the incident.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.