Damage to police vehicle from crash on May 7 in West Kelowna. (Photo credit: RCMP)

By Pete McIntyre

major damage

SUV crashes into police vehicle and business

May 8, 2022 | 7:45 AM

A driver was arrested for impaired driving after a SUV ran into a police vehicle and a business in West Kelowna.

Just before 1:00 a.m. Saturday (May 7), a police officer was driving a marked vehicle on Main Street when it was struck by a Dodge Durango that ran a stop sign. After striking the police vehicle, the Durango crashed into a restaurant in the 2400-block area of Main Street.

West Kelowna Fire Department, Emergency Health Services and a traffic analyst from BC Highway Patrol assisted with the investigation.

“The police officer sustained minor, non-life threatening injuries and was transported to hospital for treatment,” said Cpl. Tammy Lobb, media relations officer for Kelowna RCMP. “At the time of the collision, the officer was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe. The Tahoe sustained significant front end damage when was t-boned by the Dodge Durango.”

Lobb said the officer has since been released from hospital.

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“We are grateful they were not seriously injured as this collision could have been much more serious”.

There was significant damage to the restaurant as the vehicle crashed through the front of the business before coming to a stop inside.

The 30-year-old male driver was arrested for impaired operation and will appear in court at a later date, on charges still to be determined.

A 20-year-old male passenger travelling in the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

“Impaired driving puts people and property at risk and is one hundred percent preventable. The Kelowna RCMP reminds our community to always plan ahead and arrange a safe ride.” Lobb said.