Social media posts lead to multiple driving charges
By Castlegar Source
A 27-year-old Smithers man is facing multiple driving related charges and has to walk for awhile, thanks to his social media posts, according to BC RCMP Highway Patrol Insp. Chad Badry.
“In late May, BC Highway Patrol (Smithers) became aware of videos circulating on social media that had recently been posted,” Badry said. “The videos showed an individual driving in a very aggressive manner, in excess of 160 km/h in what was found to be a Dodge pickup truck on local provincial highways. The videos captured a male, later found to be the owner of the vehicle, engaged in several high risk behaviours including speed, using an electronic device while driving, consuming alcohol while driving, and stunt driving without holding the steering wheel at high speeds. A subsequent investigation by BC Highway Patrol investigators located the areas the driving behaviours took place due to their familiarity with distinctive roadway characteristics in their patrol area.
“The driver was identified by distinctive tattoos that were visible in the videos. On June 4, a vehicle stop was conducted to address a speeding infraction and members recognized the vehicle in the videos. The driver was served with numerous violation tickets under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act, Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, Liquor Control and Licensing Act and Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations along with an inspection notice to address several defects on the vehicle. At the time of the vehicle stop, several opened containers of liquor were located within the driver’s reach and were poured out. The vehicle was impounded under three separate excessive speeding/stunting allegations and towed from the scene.”
Inspector Darren Woroshelo, the OIC of Northern Highway Patrol said, Any one of these behaviours is extremely dangerous and risky, but the combination is downright scary. After just wrapping up a month long high risk driving campaign, police are always looking for dangerous driving…even on social media. Now that winter is behind us, all drivers need to keep our roads safer together by obeying speeds, driving sober, paying attention to driving, and wearing a seatbelt.
