A high-speed drive down the Sea to Sky Highway ended last Friday morning with a dramatic crash.
According to Cpl. Dave Ritchie of the Squamish RCMP, a north bound RCMP vehicle was passed by a southbound red 2001 Ford Mustang at 12:58 a.m.
"The member intercepted him at a high rate of speed," Ritchie said. The police estimate that the Mustang was travelling at 175 km-h The member who happened upon the fast-moving Mustang radioed for help.
Ritchie said the police vehicle and the Mustang passed each other at approximately the same location as the memorial along Hwy. 99 for the seven people who died in an early morning accident on Jan. 31, 2004.
"The police car pulled over to the shoulder, activated the emergency lights and completed a reverse turn to intercept the vehicle," Ritchie said. "The vehicle continued southbound at a very high rate of speed and then lost control at the intersection of Hwy. 99 and Garibaldi Way. The vehicle struck two raised traffic islands, crossed over a grass median, struck and dislodged a traffic light control box and then came to rest against a large sign post."
The intersection was closed through the entire morning while the accident scene was cleared up and the electronic systems for the traffic lights were repaired.
"It was a big impact," said Ritchie.
Witnesses who came across the scene after the crash said that there was vehicle debris scattered throughout and around the intersection.
Ritchie said that the driver of the vehicle, a 20-year-old man from Coquitlam was taken to Lions Gate Hospital. The man is being investigated and may be charged with dangerous driving and impaired driving.
"One occupant, a 20-year-old male from Vernon, was ejected and suffered serious injuries and was transported to Vancouver General Hospital," Ritchie said. The man from Vernon was thrown 40 metres from the car. Ritchie said the Vernon man landed in the Burger King parking lot and suffered pelvic and other internal injuries.
Ritchie added that there was no pursuit leading up to the crash, contrary to rumours.
