ON Wednesday evening, New Westminster Police received a 9-1-1 call from someone who saw an unconscious man in the driver’s seat of an idling vehicle on Garfield Street.

The caller reported the engine was revving and expressed concern the driver may be impaired.

When police located the vehicle, they learned the vehicle had been reported stolen. As support from other units arrived, the suspect regained consciousness and drove away.

He then stopped one block away and again lost consciousness with the vehicle still in drive.

With the assistance of the Burnaby RCMP, Air One, and the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, the vehicle was secured.

The suspect then regained consciousness and fled from the vehicle on foot. He was arrested without incident.

Investigators will be recommending the following charges to Crown Counsel: one count each of flight from police, possession of stolen property, and driving while prohibited, and four counts of breach of probation order.

“In situations like this one, police take every precaution to reduce the risk of harm to the public. Someone driving a stolen vehicle drifting in and out of consciousness is an extremely dangerous situation,” said Sgt. Justine Thom on Thursday.

“We extend our appreciation to our policing partners who worked with us to safely take this suspect into custody and recover this stolen vehicle.”

The New Westminster Police Department commended the actions of the resident who observed this driver and called 9-1-1.