Drunken Mayhem As Two Separate Impaired Drivers Crash Into Police Vehicles - In Two Hours
Victoria, BC – Two separate Victoria drivers are facing charges after two separate impaired incidents that both involved colliding with police vehicles - all in the space of about two hours.
In the first incident, a 21-year-old Victoria woman was observed stumbling inside a BC liquor store at Hillside Avenue and Blanshard Street at approximately 3:20 p.m. yesterday . An astute witness called police after observing the woman bump into a display, then leave the store and get into her car. The witness then followed the woman as she began to weave her way through downtown Victoria streets, displaying clear signs of impairment.
Her level of intoxication became even more clear when she was soon stopped by officers and promptly backed her car into the officers’ vehicle. Officers quickly shut off the young woman’s vehicle before she could do any more damage. After her arrest she was transported to VicPD headquarters where she was shown to have more than 5 times the legal limit of alcohol in her system. Due to the dangerously high levels of alcohol detected she was transported to hospital to be medically checked out. Once cleared she was returned to VicPD HQ to process her driving prohibitions, informed of charges that will be pending and released on a promise to appear.
Approximately two hours later the 911 switchboard lit up with calls about an erratic driver weaving all over the road. The van was spotted at View and Blanshard streets, and then seen again travelling at excessive speed towards Quadra Street, turning onto Empress Avenue. Upon spotting officers, who were now descending upon the scene, the driver of the van attempted to flee, he was involved in a collision with a parked vehicle as he turned it turned onto Vancouver Street. Given the van’s high of speed in a residential neighbourhood during rush hour VicPD officers put themselves in harm’s way and attempted to block the van with their vehicles. An officer then got out of his patrol car and was nearly hit as the driver yet again decided to flee despite an officer in the way of his desired escape route. Thankfully the quick-thinking officer was able to jump to safety. The driver continued to flee striking a police vehicle in the process.
The driver of the van then took off, blowing through the marked stop sign at the intersection at Cook Street and Empress Avenue. The vehicle then collided with a parked vehicle in the 1100-block of Empress Avenue. After the collision the driver of the vehicle fled on foot.
A local citizen on his bicycle who had narrowly missed being run observed the driver exit the vehicle. This quick thinking Victorian gave chase and then dismounted his bicycle and used it as a barricade to contain the driver until officers were able arrive and make the arrest. An ambulance was called and the driver brought to hospital for treatment for minor injuries sustained in the collisions.
Investigating officers soon discovered that not only did the driver have multiple driving prohibition, he also had no driver’s license, nor valid insurance. His apparent disregard for common decency continued when, upon being transported to cells, he took it upon himself to destroy the mattress provided for him to sleep on.
Serle Rogers, a 44-year-old Victoria man is facing 10 charges, including Driving while Impaired, Refusing a Breath Demand, Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle, Flight from Peace Officer, Operation While Disqualified, Drive While Prohibited (x2), Failure to Comply w Recognizance(x 2), and Mischief under $5000.
VicPD would like to thank many citizens who got involved in both of these cases. Because they called 911 two clearly dangerous impaired drivers are off Victoria’s streets. VicPD would also like to remind drivers that if you drink and drive you will be caught, hopefully before you kill someone.
