Pickup truck strikes utility pole after fleeing traffic stop in Abbotsford

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ABBOTSFORD – A member of the AbbyPD Gang Crime Unit was nearly sideswiped by the driver of a pickup truck Sunday night, who later fled the scene and crashed into a utility pole before being taken into custody by police for impaired driving.

According to a statement from AbbyPD spokesperson Sgt. Paul Walker, a gang investigator was travelling northbound on McCallum Road near Hwy. 1 at just after 7 p.m. Sunday night (Oct. 25) when his unmarked police vehicle was nearly sideswiped by a pickup truck.

Sgt. Walker says the officer observed additional signs of impaired driving and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. He says the driver initially slowed as though he intended to stop but then accelerated and fled from police.

Sgt. Walker says officers observed the truck drive over a concrete boulevard and continue swerving erratically, creating a significant risk to public safety. The vehicle was tracked into the area of Huggins Avenue and Laurnell Crescent, where an officer witnessed the driver lose control and crash into a utility pole on Laurnell Cres. The impact caused the pole-mounted transformer to fall onto the hood of the truck and brought several live hydro lines down to the roadway.

Due to the immediate danger posed by the energized power lines, officers were not able to safely approach the vehicle, or arrest the driver until BC Hydro crews arrived and disconnected the power. Once the scene was deemed safe, a 49-year-old man was taken into custody.

The driver later provided breath samples measuring nearly twice the legal limit. Police are recommending charges of impaired driving, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 mg%, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, and mischief. Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of this incident. This incident could have easily ended in tragedy.

“Choosing to drive while impaired is a deliberate decision that puts everyone on the road at risk,” AbbyPD said. “In this case, a driver’s actions endangered other motorists and caused significant damage to critical infrastructure. The consequences could have been far worse. AbbyPD has zero tolerance for impaired driving. If you choose to get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs, expect to be arrested and held accountable. No destination, event, or convenience is worth risking your life or the lives of others. Make a plan before you drink or use drugs and never drive impaired.”

Police say AbbyPD officers have removed 852 impaired drivers from area roadways so far in 2026.