Overnight Saturday night, Saanich Police had a Counterattack roadblock out in the 3400 block of Blanshard street in preparation for the Canada Day festivities.
At about 1:30am Sunday, Canada Day, a brown, 2003 Nissan Murano approached the roadblock northbound on Blanshard street. An officer seated in a police vehicle at the time, saw that the car was likely not going to stop. He proceeded to honk the police vehicle’s air horn to warn other officers nearby. The Nissan then plowed through the roadblock nearly striking several officers and another vehicle.
Other officers also yelled out for the driver to stop and shone their flashlights in the driver’s face. One officer had to make himself skinny against another vehicle to avoid being struck.
Two police vehicles left the roadblock and boxed in the Nissan near Saanich Road. The driver was immediately taken into custody and was suspected of having consumed alcohol. A roadside breath test was conducted on the driver and a fail reading was obtained.
The driver was then returned to the Saanich Police headquarters where he provided breath samples. Breath tests revealed more than double the legal limit of alcohol.
Charges of impaired driving and dangerous driving are being prepared by investigators. As well, investigators found that the driver had no valid driver license in B.C.
The driver, a 30 year old Victoria resident, was released with a date for court later in the summer.
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