Surrey RCMP are asking drug users to keep out of the driver's seat after three collisions linked to drug impairment in less than 7 days.
The first occurred the evening of Saturday, Jan. 25, when police responded to a call around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of 128 Street and 102 Avenue. A grey Acura allegedly drove into oncoming traffic, hitting a black Nissan sedan head-on. Both drivers luckily only had minor injuries.
When police got there, they noticed the driver of the Acura showed signs of impairment, according to a press release, and had "drug paraphernalia" in the car. He was arrested and given a 24-hour prohibition. He's been released.
The next day, around 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, police were called to another incident after someone reported two people passed out in a running vehicle. After arriving at the scene in the 8000-block of 128 Street. When police arrived they noticed the man in the driver's seat had a weapon in his waistband and a gun in the vehicle, according to the release. He also showed signs of impairment while dealing with police; he was then arrested.
Searching the vehicle, police found a handgun, ammunition and what's believed to be cocaine.
He was released with a 24-hour prohibition.
The third incident, another head-on collision, happened Friday, Jan. 29.
"[It] occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. in one of Surrey’s busiest intersections. Early indications are that a drug-impaired driver drove their jeep through the intersection and into on-coming traffic," state RCMP in a separate press release.
An off-duty police officer and paramedics attended to the driver who was in cardiac distress. The paramedics gave him Narcan and took him to the hospital; he survived. No other injuries occurred during the incident, police state.
All three incidents are under investigation.
“These incidents could easily have had tragic consequences for the drug users and for the other members of the public using the roadway,” said Sgt. Elenore Sturko. “If you are a drug user, we strongly urge you not to drive, and we encourage you to seek help if you have an addiction.”
