Cellphone usage proved the downfall for a driver of a truck in Honeymoon Bay last Wednesday.
Just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, Lake Cowichan RCMP were called to a single vehicle accident scene on South Shore Road.
A Victoria man, 27, was using his cellphone while driving alone and as a result, veered off the road, crashing into two power poles.
The truck ended up on its roof in a nearby ditch.
“The provincial statute came out at least a couple of years ago that it’s illegal to use an electronic device when driving,” said Cpl. Warren Potter. “You can’t text, receive texts or [even] look at your phone, as it distracts the driver.”
Local fire crews were already on the scene when RCMP officers arrived, with the power poles being knocked down causing the lines to end up on the truck.
BC Hydro was called to repair the power lines.
Lake Cowichan RCMP confirmed the man was under the influence of alcohol and was issued with an immediate roadside prohibition from driving.
“The man is suspended from driving for 90 days and received immediate heavy fines,” said Potter. “His vehicle was impounded for 30 days.”
However, an immediate roadside prohibition does not go on one’s criminal record.
“It’s better for the person in that case and it alleviates backups from the courts,” said Potter.
The man was also issued violation tickets for driving without care and attention, using his cellphone while driving and transporting a loaded gun.
The latter is illegal even if you have the required documentation to carry firearms, as you are not allowed to load a gun until exiting a vehicle.
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A total of 480 Cowichan Lake residents lost their power last Wednesday, following a car accident, BC Hydro has confirmed.
A motor vehicle crashed into a power pole near Ashburnum Creek Bridge on South Shore Road.
A significant outage came about particularly for those customers situated on Beach Drive according to Ted Olynyk from BC Hydro. Olynyk is the manager of community relations for Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Cpl. Warren Potter of the Lake Cowichan RCMP admitted “he didn’t know too much about the incident” at press time but confirmed officers are actively investigating.
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A truck was robbed of tools in the Lake Cowichan area after nightfall Sunday, Nov. 10.
Lake Cowichan RCMP stated in a press release that, “sometime during the night of Nov. 10, a plastic tote was taken from the back of a pickup truck in the Madill Street/Neva Road area of Lake Cowichan.”
Apparently the tote contained a variety of tools.
RCMP wish to remind people of the importance of making sure your vehicle and home is locked and encourage people to report any suspicious behaviour.
Anyone with information regarding the tote stealing is requested to contact Lake Cowichan RCMP at 250-749-6668 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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Two vehicles parked on the highway roadside had windows smashed out just after dawn on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The incident occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 8:13 a.m. near the corner of Highway 18 and Skutz Falls Road.
Both vehicles had the driver’s side window smashed.
Lake Cowichan RCMP stated in a media release that “it appeared the inside of the vehicles had been rummaged through.”
“We have very limited information [thus far],” said Const. Andrew Burn. “The reason for that timeframe is based on the fact that I was out there (where the vehicles were parked) at 7:30 a.m. and I got the call at 8:13 a.m.
“There was broken glass and it would appear the windows were broken by a hammer.”
Burn has since seized the hammer.
“We have no witnesses and no suspects,” he said.
As a result, investigations are continuing and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward and contact the Lake Cowichan RCMP at 250-749-6668 or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.