Pedestrian hit by alleged impaired driver

A driver is facing potential charges after hitting a pedestrian in the overnight hours of Thursday (July 2).

Just before 3 a.m., RCMP received a report of a red Ford pickup truck striking a pedestrian on Benvoulin Road near Springfield Road in Kelowna. The driver fled the scene and was followed by the witness who notified police.

Officers attended to the location and located a man who stated he had been struck while walking on the side of the road. BC Emergency Health Services transported the 28-year-old Kelowna man to hospital with unknown injuries.

An officer located the suspect vehicle near a residence on Terai Court. While dealing with the driver the officer noted signs of alcohol consumption. The breath demand was read and the man was taken back to the detachment for a breath test.

He provided two breath samples, both of which exceeded the legal limit.

The 20-year-old Lake Country man was released from custody for a future court date. The vehicle was impounded.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the complainant in this matter,” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy of the Kelowna RCMP. “This person was able to safely follow the suspect vehicle and provide invaluable and timely information to our officers, which led to an arrest.”

The circumstances will be forwarded to Crown Counsel for their review.

If you witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are urged to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.