ON Monday, January 19 at approximately 1 a.m., a New Westminster Police officer was conducting a routine traffic stop in the area of 10th Avenue and 20th Street. While he was out of his vehicle speaking to the driver at the roadside, a car travelling at a high rate of speed collided with his police vehicle.

Thankfully, the officer and the driver in the vehicle at the roadside were not injured. The police vehicle sustained significant damage. The driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition after refusing to provide a breath sample into an Approved Screening Device. The driver that collided with the police vehicle was taken to hospital as a precaution.

“This is an example of the real risks officers manage every day while conducting traffic stops,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “Thankfully, my colleague and the driver at the roadside were not injured. Slowing down and moving over is the law, and it exists to protect everyone who is working or stopped along the roadside.”

Anyone who witnessed this collision and hasn’t yet spoken with police is asked to contact the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411 and reference file 26-1032.