Rugby Canada severs ties with player after violent B.C. carjacking
Rugby Canada has kicked a 19-year-old player out of its professional development program after a violent carjacking near Victoria last month left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
Sione Fine of Williams Lake, B.C. is facing a raft of charges, including assault causing bodily harm, theft of a motor vehicle, mischief under $5,000 and assaulting a police officer.
Mounties responded to a report of a carjacking in the 2300-block of Sooke Road in Colwood, west of Victoria, shortly after midnight on April 15.
Michael Westeroth, the general manager of Bluebird Cabs in Victoria, says one of the company's drivers suffered multiple injuries, including a dislocated shoulder and a broken arm that required surgery, in the attack.
Police released a pair of videos of the carjacking on Thursday in a plea to find witnesses to the incident.
According to the taxi company, the driver stopped his car after a shirtless man ran into the street and leapt onto the car, cracking the windshield.
The man rolled off the hood and onto the ground, prompting the driver to stop and see if he was injured.
When the driver opened the door to check on the man, he was struck on the head and thrown onto the ground, knocking him unconscious, according to the taxi company.
The driver regained consciousness in an ambulance and was rushed to hospital, Westeroth said.
"Police believe there were other witnesses to this violent act that have not come forward and provided their information," the West Shore RCMP said in a news release.
Investigators are specifically looking for the driver and any occupants of a white car that drove past the taxi while the assault and carjacking occurred. Police say the car did not stop at the scene.
West Shore RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Nancy Saggar told CTV News investigators believe the suspect was "under the influence of drugs" during the altercation.
The taxi driver remains off work, recovering from his injuries.
RUGBY PLAYERS SUSPENDED
In a statement to CTV News on Thursday, Rugby Canada said it has removed Fine from its Pacific Pride development team and suspended two other players.
"We were made aware on April 18 of an earlier incident involving several Pacific Pride players gathered at a private residence," Rugby Canada spokesperson Tania Richards said.
"In the face of incomplete information, we initially placed four players under suspension while we investigated further."
Sione Fine of Williams Lake, B.C. is facing charges of assault causing bodily harm, theft of a motor vehicle, mischief under $5,000 and assaulting a police officer. (Submitted)
Richards said the organization was unaware of any criminal charges stemming from the incident until Thursday, when it released Fine from Pacific Pride and all other Rugby Canada activities.
"We now consider this a matter for the justice system," the Rugby Canada spokesperson said, pledging to co-operate fully with the police investigation.
"Two players remain suspended as they proceed through due process as per our discipline and complaints policy."
Fine is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Colwood on May 25.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Henrique to play in Game 3 of Western Conference final; Hintz a game-time decision
Adam Henrique is set to join the action. Roope Hintz might be doing the same.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.