A 27-year-old Smithers man who posted a video to social media showing himself drinking alcohol while driving, speeding excessively and other dangerous behaviours is going to be walking for awhile.
In late May, Smithers RCMP became aware of the video circulating on social media. In the video the man is seen driving a Dodge pickup truck on highways in the area in a very aggressive manner at speeds in excess of 160 km/h, stunt driving while not holding the steering wheel at high speed, using electronic devices while driving and drinking alcohol while driving.
BC Highway Patrol officers recognized the section of highway seen in the video, because of the distinctive road characteristics, according to a statement issued by B.C. RCMP>
“Any one of these behaviours is extremely dangerous and risky, but the combination is downright scary,” Insp. Darren Woroshelo, officer in charge of the Northern Highway Patrol, said in a statement “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.”
On June 4, the driver was stopped by a patrol officer to address a speeding infraction and recognized the man by his distinctive tattoos, which were seen in the video.
The man is now facing numerous violation tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act, Liquor Control and Licenscing Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations and was served an inspection notice to address several defects on the vehicle. At the time of the vehicle stop, there were several opened containers of liquor in the vehicle within reach of the driver which were seized and poured out.
The truck was impounded under three separate excessive speeding and stunting allegations, and towed from the scene.
