When a luxury Mercedes goes up against an Audi supercar, bet on the autobody repair professionals.
A 48-year-old West Vancouver man is facing charges after he crashed his $160,000 Mercedes S63 into the back of an Audi R8 on the 3100-block of Marine Drive Saturday night.
Police received multiple 9-1-1 calls just after 8 p.m. when the driver of the Mercedes allegedly lost control and rear-ended the Audi.
Witnesses told police the Mercedes was speeding and passing other vehicles just before the crash, according to Const. Jeff Palmer, West Vancouver police spokesman.
Two boys, aged nine and five, were in the Mercedes' back seat at the time. B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics checked them over and determined the kids
did not need to go to hospital.
"The investigators are looking at whether or not they ought to have been or were properly secured in child restraints," Palmer said. "Based on information and observations, we detained the driver for investigation of impaired driving."
The driver received an immediate 24-hour roadside suspension of his licence, plus another 30-day administrative driving prohibition. Police are recommending criminal charges.
The Audi's passenger, a 37-year-old Richmond woman, was taken to the ER after she complained of neck pain.
Though the accident looked like a fender bender, investigators estimate total repair bill for the damage will cost $200,000.
"It's pretty significant damage. It kind of doesn't look like it but, not surprisingly, they're freakishly expensive to repair," Palmer said.
