Man arrested after plowing into Mission RCMP vehicle, but can’t elude police on foot

MISSION — A 55-year-old Penticton man was arrested on multiple charges in late July following a traffic stop in which the prohibited driver fled from a traffic stop by hitting an RCMP SUV, before exiting his vehicle and unsuccessfully eluding police on foot.

Mounties in Mission say a white Dodge Ram was heading west on Lougheed Highway near Norrish Avenue shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30. The driver’s actions triggered the attention of police as he was driving at a very slow speed. A check of the truck’s license plate revealed the truck’s owner was a prohibited driver. Police said the truck failed to stay in its lane as well. The officer initiated a traffic stop and pulled over the truck, which stopped momentarily, before the driver reversed into the oncoming lane. As police pulled closer, the truck drove forward right into the police car with enough force to activate and deploy the cruiser’s airbags. The RCMP cruiser sustained significant damage to its front right bumper and frame.

At this point, the pickup truck driver takes off running but the officer quickly caught up to him and arrested him. Police say the 55-year-old Penticton man is being investigated for assaulting a police officer with a weapon, flight from police, driving while prohibited and driving while under the influence of drugs. Police are asking anyone who saw this white Dodge Ram (image accompanying this story) driving in the area that night to contact the Mission RCMP detachment at 604-826-7161.