A suspected impaired driver wreaked havoc on West Shore roads Thursday, with some witnesses clocking him going over 180 kilometres an hour, according to police.
A flood of 911 calls about a red, 2015 Jeep Wrangler tearing up Highway 14 in Langford started coming in at around 1:20 p.m., Sooke RCMP say.
Drivers reported the Jeep was illegally passing vehicles on a double solid line at more than double the speed limit on the four-lane stretch of Sooke Road.
Eventually in the 5800-block of Sooke Road, the vehicle veered off the road and smashed through a bus stop bench, damaging a telephone pole, fence and trees before landing in a ravine, according to police.
Somehow, police say the driver sustained only minor injuries in the crash while the vehicle was a total write-off.
Photo: RCMP Handout
Investigators searched the ravine where the vehicle came to rest and found alcohol and a loaded handgun.
The driver, a 42-year-old Duncan man who police say is well-known to them, was treated at Victoria General Hospital for minor injuries and then taken into custody by Sooke RCMP.
He faces charges of impaired driving, possession of an unregistered restricted weapon, refusing to provide a breath sample and dangerous driving.
Police are now looking for any other witnesses who saw the Jeep on Highway 14 Thursday. Those with information are asked to call 250-642-5241.
