A man is facing multiple charges after an erratic driving incident that ended with collisions involving two police vehicles in Salmon Arm.
RCMP say they received a report around 7:13 p.m. on March 29 of a silver Dodge Dakota pickup truck swerving across the road with a couch hanging out of the bed. The vehicle had earlier been reported to Chase RCMP for speeding and passing on double solid lines.
Police located the truck heading east on the Trans-Canada Highway near 4th Street NE and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled. Officers later saw the truck downtown speeding, running stop signs and travelling the wrong way on a one-way street before disengaging due to public safety concerns.
During the pursuit, the truck lost the couch from its bed and the canopy also came off while turning.
About 10 minutes later, RCMP received another report of the same vehicle driving erratically southbound on Highway 97B. Police located it on Sonora Road and followed it to Black Road, where the driver braked suddenly, causing a collision with a police vehicle.
Mounties say the truck then dragged the police vehicle before striking a second RCMP vehicle that had arrived on scene, breaking free and continuing south on Highway 97B.
The truck was later stopped on Highway 97A near Riverside Road. Police say the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was arrested and found to be prohibited from driving.
Officers also observed empty beer cans inside the truck. A breath test was conducted and the driver registered a “fail.”
Axel Barker, 27, has been charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, dangerous operation of a conveyance, flight from a peace officer, mischief over $5,000, obstructing a peace officer and impaired driving.
He was remanded into custody following a court appearance and is scheduled to return to court on April 14.
