JUST after 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, a member of the Abbotsford Police’s Gang Crime Unit was travelling northbound on McCallum Road near Highway 1 when his unmarked police vehicle was nearly sideswiped by a pickup truck. The officer observed additional signs of impaired driving and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver initially slowed down as though he intended to stop but, then accelerated and fled from police. Officers observed the truck drive over a concrete boulevard and continue swerving erratically, creating a significant risk to public safety.
The vehicle was tracked into the area of Huggins Avenue and Laurnell Crescent, where an officer witnessed the driver lose control and crash into a utility pole on Laurnell Crescent. The impact caused the pole-mounted transformer to fall onto the hood of the truck and brought several live hydro lines down to the roadway.
Due to the immediate danger posed by the energized power lines, officers were unable to safely approach the vehicle or arrest the driver until BC Hydro crews arrived and disconnected the power.
Once the scene was deemed safe, a 49-year-old man was taken into custody. The driver later provided breath samples measuring nearly twice the legal limit.
Police are recommending charges of impaired driving, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 mg%, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, and mischief.
Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of this incident.
Abbotsford Police noted that this incident could have easily ended in tragedy. Choosing to drive while impaired is a deliberate decision that puts everyone on the road at risk. In this case, a driver’s actions endangered other motorists and caused significant damage to critical infrastructure. The consequences could have been far worse.
Abbotsford Police said they have zero tolerance for impaired driving. “If you choose to get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs, expect to be arrested and held accountable. No destination, event, or convenience is worth risking your life or the lives of others. Make a plan before you drink or use drugs and never drive impaired,” they added
Abbotsford Police officers have removed 852 impaired drivers from roadways so far in 2026.
