By Sgt. Darren Kakuno

This past week, October 10 through October 16, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 64 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

McDonald’s fire under investigation

On Monday, October 10 at about 3:15 a.m. an RCMP officer contacted the fire department after observing smoke coming from the McDonald’s building that was under construction on Athalmer Road in Invermere. The fire department quickly extinguished the fire but there was significant damage to the interior. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Over 60 vehicles checked in Oct. 12 checkstop near Radium

On Wednesday, October 12 at about 10 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP officers conducted a road check on Highway 93/95 near Radium Hot Springs. Over the course of an hour over 60 vehicles were checked. Several warnings were issued for Motor Vehicle Act offences but no violation tickets were issued.

Impaired driver removed from road Friday in Invermere

On Friday, October 14 at about 10 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a possible impaired driver in Invermere. The driver of a Ford pickup had allegedly struck another vehicle on 3^rd Avenue. An officer attended the scene and spoke with the driver of the Ford pickup. While speaking to the driver, the officer noted signs of impairment and read a roadside breath demand. The driver complied with the breath demand and blew a “fail.” As a result, the driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30-days.

Driver caught going 152 km/h in a 90 km/h speed zone

On Saturday, October 15 at about 8:15 p.m., an officer stopped the driver of a Nissan Rogue for going 152 km/h in a 90 km/h speed zone on Highway 93/95 near Invermere. The driver received a violation ticket for excessive speed and failing to provide a driver’s license and the car was impounded for seven-days.

Suspended driver stopped in vehicle with terminated plates

On Sunday, October 16 at about 10 p.m., an officer stopped a Volkswagen Jetta on Highway 93/95 near Dry Gulch after checks of the license plate revealed it had been terminated. The driver of the car was determined to be a suspended driver and was not able to provide valid insurance. As a result, the driver was issued an Appearance Notice to attend court on a later date, a violation ticket for no insurance and the vehicle was impounded for seven-days.

Lead image: The under-construction McDonald’s following the Oct. 10 fire.  Photo courtesy Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service

– Sgt. Darren Kakuno is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander

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