Submitted by Cpl. Nicholas Theoret, Valemount RCMP Detachment
During the month of October, the Valemount RCMP responded to 68 calls for service, the following are several notable occurrences.
On October 7th, the Valemount RCMP was advised of a structure fire on 8th Ave. On arrival the Valemount Fire Department already had the fire under control and were able to prevent the residence from becoming fully engulfed. After an investigation by both the RCMP and the Fire Department, it was determined that the origin of the fire was electrical in nature with no evidence of arson.
On the 12th of October, a member of the Valemount RCMP conducted a route traffic stop with a Honda CRV at the Tete Jaune Junction. During the traffic stop the officer detected a strong odour of alcohol coming from the driver. Tests were conducted using a roadside screening device which indicated that the driver’s blood alcohol levels exceeded the legal limit. As a result of the traffic stop the driver received an immediate driving prohibition and vehicle impound.
On Oct 18th, the Valemount RCMP and CVSE conducted a road safety check stop on Hwy 5 at the Camp Creek rest stop. The primary focus for the check stop was ensuring that vehicles on the roadway had winter tires rated for winter conditions.
On the 25th of October, the Valemount RCMP was advised of a black pickup doing donuts at the intersection of Highway 5 and 5th Ave. Before officers were able to locate the vehicle a second report was received indicating that the same vehicle had crashed on Highway 16 past Tete Jaune. The driver had been observed attempting to take the corner at high speed before crashing into the cement barricades and rolling his vehicle. The driver was issued with violation tickets in regards to his driving behavior, the vehicle was not impounded as it was destroyed in the crash.
In the month of October, the Valemount RCMP has impounded 6 vehicles for excessive speed with speeds ranging from 130 km/hr in a 70 km/hr zone to 193 km/hr in a 100 km/hr zone and 3 vehicles for drug and alcohol related occurrences.
As we move into winter driving conditions the Valemount RCMP would like to remind drivers to take road conditions into consideration as we are already starting to see an increase in the number of weather-related motor vehicle collisions.
