Man suspected of drug activity in Abbotsford becomes assaultive, later crashes into utility pole in Agassiz

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ABBOTSFORD – A 23-year-old man who appeared to be slumped over in the driver’s seat of his vehicle in Abbotsford became assaultive when police tried to intervene Sunday night, but after fleeing the scene, he later crashed and struck a utility pole in Agassiz.

According to a statement from Abbotsford PD spokesperson Sgt. Paul Walker, police in Abbotsford received a report from a concerned citizen just after 7 p.m. Sunday night (Oct. 18) about a suspicious vehicle in the 2500 block of Mitchell Street. The caller advised police that a man appeared to be slumped over in the driver’s seat.

Sgt. Walker says patrol officers attended and located the vehicle. They positioned their police vehicles in front to safely contain it while they investigated the matter. As officers approached and made contact with the driver, they observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Based on these observations, coupled with the driver’s condition, officers suspected the man was impaired by drugs and attempted to wake him. 

When the driver became alert, he was directed to exit the vehicle, Sgt. Walker said. Instead, he became assaultive with officers and abruptly placed the vehicle into reverse. With an officer standing in the doorway of the vehicle, the driver accelerated backward and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. In the interest of public safety, officers did not pursue the vehicle, Sgt. Walker said.

Later on Sunday night, the vehicle was located by Agassiz RCMP after it had collided with a utility pole near Highway 9 and Morrow Road. The driver was arrested and subsequently transferred into the custody of AbbyPD.

Sgt. Walker says Agassiz RCMP are investigating the collision that occurred within their jurisdiction, while AbbyPD continues to investigate the original incident in Abbotsford.

AbbyPD is recommending charges of assaulting a police officer, flight from police, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle against the 23-year-old man.

“Incidents such as this underscore the significant risks posed by impaired driving and reckless attempts to evade police,” Sgt. Walker said. “The actions of this driver placed officers, other motorists, and members of the public at serious risk of harm. AbbyPD remains committed to proactively investigating impaired driving and taking enforcement action against those, whose behaviour threatens the safety of our community.”