A Richmond RCMP officer is lucky to be alive after his patrol car was struck while conducting a traffic stop.
In the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 4, an officer with Richmonds Road Safety Unit was conducting a traffic stop at Westminster Highway and No. 5 Road when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
The officer had just returned to his patrol car and had taken a seat when his car was sideswiped from behind.
The officer was propelled into the steering wheel and dash of his car but was able to report the collision and ask for help.
He was then taken to Vancouver General Hospital where he was treated for concussion and soft tissue damage.
Two officers in a second patrol car were assisting with the traffic stop and were almost struck as well. These officers quickly jumped into their car to apprehend the suspect, who had fled the scene.
The vehicle was pulled over moments later and the driver, a 28-year-old Vancouver man, was arrested for impaired driving.
In speaking with the injured officer I was told that if the car came along a bit earlier, the officer would have been run over, said Cpl. Sherrdean Turley, media relations officer for the Richmond Detachment.
The officer had his emergency lights activated and it was a clear night so there should be no reason to not see the patrol car.
The injured officer remains off work and will continue to be assessed by doctors and will return to work when he is able to.
The physician that initially treated the officer was amazed that his injuries were not worse given the impact.
Investigators are forwarding charges of impaired driving to Crown for approval. The driver involved was released from custody with a court date of Nov. 13.
Richmond RCMP would like this incident to serve as a reminder that drinking and driving dont mix.
They would also like to thank witnesses who assisted investigators by remaining at the scene of the collision.
