An 18-year-old Langford man is facing criminal charges after he nearly drove over a police officer Monday at a speed trap near Goldstream park.
The Capital Regional District integrated road safety unit was conducting an aggressive driving enforcement campaign north of Goldstream park at the four lane section of highway, known as Penden’s Stretch.
At about 11:23 a.m., an officer stationed with a laser speed reader at the north end of the stretch watched a southbound Acura pull to the side of the highway, and the driver and passenger switched seats.
Based on that odd behaviour, the officer approached the vehicle from the front, and it lurched toward him. He moved to the driver’s side door and it peeled off southbound, nearly striking the officer.
He radioed ahead, and a second officer stepped into the highway and motioned for the vehicle to stop and pull over. Instead, it accelerated forward and the officer pulled his firearm.
“They were heading straight for him and swerved around at the last second,” said Const. Robert Figueiredo with the CRD IRSU. “The officer feared for his safety. He didn’t know what they were doing.”
No shots were fired. A third officer trailed the Acura at a distance before it voluntarily pulled over and the men were arrested without incident.
A 21-year-old Cobble Hill man, the original driver before the switch, was found to have no driver’s licence. He is facing charges under the Motor Vehicle Act. The 18-year-old driver from Langford is facing criminal charges relating to evading police and failing to stop. That investigation is ongoing.
Figueiredo said the pair were alerted to police presence by other drivers flashing their headlights, and surmised the Cobble Hill man thought it could be a drinking and driving check and was worried about being caught without a licence.
The CRD ISRU is comprised of officers from Saanich, Victoira, Oak Bay and Central Saanich police departments and RCMP.
Any witnesses to this event are asked to call the CRD ISRU at 250-995-7728.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com