Highway 16 east of the city was the scene of some tense moments on Thursday morning as Prince George RCMP deployed spike belts and closed off part of the highway in the process of apprehending a driver suspected of trying to force oncoming traffic off the road.
Shortly after 8 a.m. RCMP in McBride had given local Mounties the heads up about an erratic driver heading towards the city on Highway 16. While en route to make the interception, police received a report from the public that someone was swerving into the opposite lane.
Police attempted to pull him over near Purden Lake but without success. Highway 16 was closed at Old Cariboo Highway and with the help of spike belts and other tactics, police stopped the suspect vehicle at Highway 16 and Giscome Road just east of Prince George.
The arrest came about an hour after the first alert.
The driver, whose identity has not been release pending charge approval, remained in custody as of Thursday. A passenger was also arrested but later release.
No injuries reported and damage was minimal, RCMP said and added that the vehicle was not insured.
"To have an on-coming vehicle drive right at you, narrowly missing a head on collision, is a terrifying situation for anyone driving on our highways" said Cpl. Craig Douglass.
"We are relieved and maybe a little shocked that this situation did not result in more serious injuries to members of the public, the police or the occupants of the car. I'm very proud of our officers, as well as those members of the public that called police without hesitation."
