A 20-year-old Burnaby man is facing charges after allegations he ran a West Vancouver police motorcycle cop off the road while attempting to speed away from a roadblock, resulting in injuries to the officer.
The incident happened on Cypress Bowl Road Wednesday night, where people gather to watch the Celebration of Light fireworks.
Officers set up a roadblock looking to snag impaired drivers. When the driver of a white 2009 BMW saw the police, he did a U-turn and sped off, skidding into the oncoming lane and causing the officer to swerve into the ditch.
The officer was taken to Lions Gate Hospital but was released a short time later. He suffered bruising and a torn bicep in the crash.
“It had the potential to be so much worse,” said Const. Jeff Wood, West Vancouver police spokesman. “Way, way worse.”
The officer is a skilled rider with 20 years of experience. Wood said. He’s now off duty until he’s healed.
Gary Singh Kang is now facing two charges; one count of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and one count of driving while prohibited. Police kept him in custody overnight.
Even though he was spending the night in the clink, police also gave him a 12-hour driving prohibition.
