RCMP use cruiser to push car with no brakes to a stop on Vancouver Island highway
RCMP had to use their vehicle to push a speeding car to a stop after the car – which was determined to have no working brakes – was spotted speeding on a Vancouver Island highway.
The vehicle was spotted by members of the BC Highway Patrol in Parksville, when the car was seen reportedly travelling 125 km/h in a 90 km/h zone on Highway 19 near Nanoose Bay.
"The car drove past the officer who immediately noticed that the driver had a stressed look on her face and had both hands off the steering wheel, gesturing wildly," said Mounties in a release Wednesday.
Police say a highway patrol officer pulled up to the car and determined that it was speeding because it had no working brakes.
"The officer manoeuvred his car in front of the speeding vehicle and, after several attempts to communicate his intentions to the driver, used it as the brakes to safely bring the vehicle to a stop without any injuries or damage," police said.
DRIVER WAS ALREADY UNDER DRIVING BAN
Once the vehicle, a 1999 Ford Escort, was safely at a stop, police say they spoke with the driver.
The 33-year-old woman initially gave police a fake name. After further investigation, Mounties say they learned that the woman was prohibited from driving and was also wanted on unrelated warrants.
Police also learned that the vehicle did not belong to the woman, had licence plates displayed that did not belong to the car or the driver, and the vehicle was uninsured.
Mounties also asked for a roadside breath test from the driver, which she failed resulting in an additional three-day driving ban.
RCMP say both the vehicle's foot brakes and hand brake were not working, and that the car was reported running through multiple red lights in Nanaimo.
The woman was served several driving tickets and has since been released from custody until her next court date. The vehicle itself was impounded.
"Police always expect the unexpected and this incident demonstrates how (BC Highway Patrol) officers work every day to make our highways safer together," said RCMP.
"Police remind drivers to obey the rules of the road and ensure your vehicle is safe to drive."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.