Image: Hope RCMP / Police are looking for more witness or any possible dashcam footage to advance their ongoing investigation after a pickup truck driven by a man known to police crossed over into the wrong direction of Highway 1 near Hope last week. He was later arrested. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Wrong-way driver arrested

Police seek witnesses, dashcam after man fled police and drove the wrong way on Highway 1 near Hope

Dec 24, 2024 | 10:02 AM

HOPE — Police are looking for more witnesses or any possible dash-cam footage to advance their ongoing investigation after a pickup truck driven by a man known to police crossed over into the wrong direction of Highway 1 near Hope last week.

According to a statement from S/Sgt. Michael Sargent, spokesperson for the Hope RCMP Detachment, a B.C. Highway Patrol officer attempted to stop a white pickup truck for a speeding citation eastbound on Highway 1 at Laidlaw Road on Tuesday, Dec. 17 just prior to 9:30 a.m. The white pickup did not stop for police and instead veered into an emergency U-turn lane to drive into oncoming traffic. Police say westbound drivers immediately slowed down and pulled over, thereby averting a possible tragedy.

Sgt. Sargent says police located the vehicle abandoned nearby a short time later and learned it was stolen. At 10 a.m. that morning, a man who matched the description of the pickup truck was located on foot and arrested. A 36-year-old Surrey man who is known to police is facing charges related to dangerous driving, possession of stolen property, and driving while prohibited. His name will not be released until charges are formally laid when he first appears in court on March 4, 2025.

If you witnessed this wrong-way driver on December 17, or have any dash-camera video, please contact the Hope RCMP at 604-869-7750 and quote file 2024-54453.