Image: Naiomi Field, with permission / Facebook / A section of Ashwell Road has been closed off after a single-vehicle collision on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

By Alyssa Conti

VEHICLE INCIDENT

Chilliwack driver allegedly bolts after striking power pole on Ashwell Road

May 17, 2025 | 12:34 PM

CHILLIWACK — A section of the road has been shut down after a male driver struck a power pole head-on in a corner of Ashwell Road– then allegedly made a run for it.

At around 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, crews were called to the scene of a single-vehicle collision on Amadis Crescent and Ashwell Road. BC Hydro crews were paged out shortly after as the pole had become damaged beyond repair.

“One ambulance with primary care paramedics and one ambulance with advanced care paramedics responded to the scene,” said Jane Campbell, communications officer for BCEHS. “There were no patients requiring hospital transport.”

One witness was driving south on Ashwell Road when she noticed the car coming towards her, missed her and the car behind her, then sped up right into a pole.

“He was swerving so badly when he came around the corner, I thought he may be having a seizure,” said Corene Cronin. “He was so out of control.”

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Cronin quickly parked at Gate 3 and tried to check on the driver, who was already starting to walk away.

“I yelled, ‘Don’t leave’. He responded that he can’t, pointing to the car, [then] he kept walking.”

She said the man sat down for a minute, then got up and ran. He was the only occupant of the car, and no other drivers were injured during the incident.

Nearby resident Naiomi Field also said she heard the crash and walked over to the scene as emergency vehicles started pulling up. A picture taken by Naiomi shows an SUV with a crumpled bumper and missing a front wheel.

More information will be added as it becomes available.