Sledge hammer used in road rage incident

A man allegedly used a sledge hammer on a vehicle during a road rage incident in Kelowna.

The initial call came in just after 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 25., as a complaint in the 400-block of Leon Avenue.

“A disagreement began between two motorists who were parked in that location. One man, allegedly got out of his vehicle and struck the second vehicle with a sledge hammer several times, before leaving in a grey Dodge Dakota pickup,” Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said.

Patrols were made by officers, but the vehicle was not located at that time.

The next afternoon, an officer attempted to conduct a vehicle stop with the Dodge Dakota in the 1500-block of Burtch Street, but the male driver took off at a high rate of speed, and the officer did not pursue him.

Just after 7:00 p.m., RCMP were informed the vehicle had been seen in the 1400-block of St. Paul Street.

“Frontline officers fanned out and continued to search for the vehicle and located it in the area of Richter Street and Sutherland Avenue where it subsequently struck a police vehicle. The 40-year-old man was apprehended under the mental health act and transported to hospital,” Noseworthy added.

This investigation is ongoing. No charges have been laid at this time.