September 21

At 12:34 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment attended to a single vehicle accident at 205 3rd Ave. The Invermere Fire Department was on hand as well as BC Ambulance.  A 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe had driven over a 10-foot embankment and ended up upside down with two females trapped in the vehicle.  The driver, a 71-year-old female from Edmonton, appeared to be parking the car and hit the accelerator. Both the driver and passenger, also from Edmonton, escaped with minor injuries.  Both husbands were observed at the hospital, obviously concerned. Realizing that we lucked out on injuries and to get the gloom off the faces of the husbands, Staff Sgt. Shehovac asked who the husband of the driver was. The male identified himself at which time Shehovac requested he work with the wife on her parking skills. Mission accomplished, no more look of gloom.  Dark humour comes in handy once in a while.

At 1 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment responded to a two-vehicle accident at 13th Street and 8th Avenue. A 2004 grey Dodge Caravan driven by a 40-year-old male from Invermere was westbound when a ‘97 Buick Skylark driven by a 87-year-old male from Radium failed to stop at a stop sign, entered the intersection, and collided with the van. Both drivers were taken to the hospital for checkups. The driver of the Skylark was charged with fail to yield at an intersection while the driver of the van was issued a ticket for no insurance.

At 5:15 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment responded to an accident on Highway 93/95 and Kootenay Road # 3. A 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee was southbound when a ’99 Chevrolet pickup pulled onto the highway from Kootenay #3, failing to yield. The driver of the Jeep had to swerve to avoid a collision and in doing so lost control and rolled the vehicle once off the road, landing upright. The injuries to the Jeep driver were minor. The driver of the pickup was charged with fail to yield.

September 22

At 5:21 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment was advised of a hit and run complaint in the parking lot area of Akiskinook Resort in Windermere. A grill on a 2011 white Toyota 4Runner was damaged. Anyone with information is requested to contact the detachment.

September 23

As a result of a vehicle check in the area of the Dry Gulch Campsite Road in Radium, a 41-year-old male from Radium was checked at 10:15 a.m. The vehicle check resulted in the arrest of the male and a seizure of cocaine. The male is charged with possession under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act and will appear in Invermere Provincial Court on December 10.

At 9:37 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment was advised of a fatal single vehicle accident on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park approximately 8 kilometres west of the B.C.-Alberta border. The accident involved a 2001 Volvo driven by a 67-year-old male and a collision with a moose. The vehicle was east bound at the time of the accident.  The collision happened in the eastbound lane at which time the vehicle then drove off the road.

Given the location of the accident, Banff RCMP, ambulance and fire department attended and were first on scene. It was determined that the passenger, a 73-year-old male was deceased.  Both males reside in Calgary. The driver was taken to the Banff hospital then flown to Foothills hospital in Calgary.

Southeast District Traffic Services Reconstructionist attended the scene to assist in the investigation.

The Columbia Valley detachment will continue to assist the Coroner’s office as this investigation continues.

Army Cadets: I am very much involved with the local Army Cadets as a civilian instructor, teaching drumming to the kids.  This year we are down in numbers and we on going on a recruiting drive to keep this corp alive. Cadets provides youths with leadership and life skills as well as the opportunity for travel and adventure. In my youth, not that long ago, cadets kept me busy and out of mischief (most the time) and I credit my cadet experience from the age of 12 through to 20 in making some good choices. We plan on having an open house for parents in the near future to provide information. Any questions, give me a call at the office.