Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a two-vehicle collision that closed Highway 97 overnight Saturday, Oct. 12.
100 Mile House RCMP Sgt. Brian Lamb said RCMP responded to the incident near Campbell Road south of 100 Mile House along with 100 Mile Fire Rescue and Emergency Health Services (EHS). Lamb said on arrival, police found a pickup truck "fully engulfed in flames" and "a semi tractor trailer unit was also found to have sustained damage."
After talking with witnesses at the scene, officers determined the pickup truck had been travelling south and crossed the centre line when it struck the northbound semi-tractor, Lamb said, noting witnesses also told the officers after the truck caught fire they pulled the male driver and lone occupant of the truck from the cab before the fire fully engulfed the vehicle.
Lamb said the driver was transported to hospital with injuries that were believed to be serious. The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured in the incident.
While 100 Mile Fire Rescue extinguished the vehicle, Highway 97 was closed and the RCMP cleared the scene of any safety concerns. Lamb said this incident remains under investigation but alcohol is believed to have played a factor in the collision.
This call was one of 90 the RCMP received between Oct. 8 and Oct. 15.
Break and enter
Two alleged incidents of breaking and entering were reported on Oct. 11 and Oct. 14 respectively, said the RCMP.
On Oct. 11, RCMP received a report of a break-and-enter to a business located at the 4000 block of Highway 97. Officers were told a sum of money was taken and two boxes of items that have yet to be determined.
Lamb said the incident is believed to have occurred at 4 a.m. on Oct. 9. Their suspect is described as a Caucasian male with a slim build, wearing a grey hooded sweater, a baseball cap, as well as gloves with high visibility stripes.
The Oct. 14 incident reported to the RCMP happened to a seasonal property near Bridge Lake. It was reported that a shed on the property was entered and that a generator was taken. The make and model of the generator is not known at this time.
Poor vehicle condition
On Oct. 10, BC Highway Patrol observed a vehicle travelling on Horse Lake Road near Wolfe Road which did not have any attached licence plates. Subsequently, the vehicle was located at a residence with no one inside.
The vehicle, Lamb said, was in poor condition with its vehicle identification number removed, as well as safety issues including a barbeque propane tank inside the vehicle which was attached to hoses through the fire wall fuelling the vehicle's engine.
RCMP subsequently impounded the vehicle and took it off the road permanently.
Prohibited driver
On Oct. 12, BC Highway Patrol observed a vehicle travelling on Cedar Avenue, which after they conducted queries, determined the owner was prohibited from driving. RCMP stopped the vehicle and the male driver was identified as not being the registered owner but another prohibited driver.
Lamb said officers issued the driver an appearance notice for court and impounded the vehicle for seven days.
Steer killed by firearm
Also on Saturday RCMP received a report of a steer being shot and killed with a firearm on a rural property in the 6000 block of Horse Lake Road North. Lamb said it is not known when the incident occurred, but it is believed it was recent at the time of the report.
Stolen vehicle
On Oct. 12, RCMP observed a vehicle near Dogwood Avenue which after conducting queries was determined to be stolen from Williams Lake.
Lamb said the vehicle was observed in a parking lot and was stopped where an adult male was arrested for possession of stolen property. The male was subsequently released to attend court at a later date.
Shortly after, the RCMP were called to a report of a break-and-enter in progress at a business location located on Moore Avenue. On arrival attending officers located the same male who had been in possession of the stolen car inside a locked compound.
RCMP subsequently arrested the man for breaking-and-entering and he was held in custody until a bail hearing scheduled for Oct. 15.
ATV rollover
On Oct. 13, the RCMP received a report of an ATV rollover on Wilson Lake Road.
Officers attended the incident with EHS, where they say they found two male youths who had been riding the ATV with serious injuries. Lamb said it is believed the two youths had been thrown from the ATV after hitting a ditch at a relatively low speed. Both had been wearing helmets at the time of the incident and were taken to the hospital by EHS for treatment.
Anyone with any information about these incidents or others is asked by the RCMP to call them at 250-395-2456 or anonymously 24 hours a day at Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at bccrimestoppers.com