Date: Wednesday, October 7th, 2020
File: 20-40240
Victoria, BC – A Patrol officer who was behind a semi-truck when it crashed into a hydro pole at an Esquimalt intersection last night arrested the driver for impaired driving.
Just after 9 p.m. last night, a Patrol officer was patrolling in Esquimalt when the semi-truck driving in front of him, carrying a 60-foot long piling, collided with a hydro power pole at the intersection of Admirals and Esquimalt roads. The impact of the collision sheared the power pole in two, leaving the pole hanging by only the tension wires. The driver of the semi-truck did not stop.
The Patrol officer sought additional units and conducted a traffic stop. While the Patrol officer was approaching the vehicle, a nearby witness spoke with the officer and handed him a brown paper bag containing a partially consumed bottle of alcohol. The witness reported that the driver of the semi-truck had thrown the bag from his vehicle after the crash.
The driver was found to be impaired and taken into custody. The driver of the semi-truck was issued an administrative driving prohibition and several tickets. The result is an impound of the vehicle, a ticket for driving without due care and attention, a ticket for failing to remain at the scene of a collision and the seizure of the semi-truck driver’s license.
The intersection at Admirals and Esquimalt roads was closed overnight as Esquimalt and BC Hydro crews worked to repair the damage. Morning traffic continues to be impacted as repairs are ongoing.
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