Multiple people are in hospital and a West End Vancouver street was closed Friday morning after a crash involving a police vehicle.
The Vancouver Police Department says the incident was first reported around 5:30 a.m., when the driver of a Jeep was seen acting erratically near Comox and Broughton streets, allegedly crashing into fences and plants in the Nelson Park dog area.
“Several witnesses nearby had to scramble to get out of the way of the suspect’s vehicle,” a police statement described.
The VPD says the driver then struck a senior who was riding a motorized mobility scooter, and finally came to a stop after crashing into a responding police vehicle.
Const. Darren Wong says the final crash destroyed the police vehicle and flipped the suspect’s vehicle on its side.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“The suspect was trapped inside the vehicle and arrested near Comox and Bute streets,” said Wong.
“Multiple ambulances responded along with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, who were able to free the man from the wreckage.”
Wong says the senior is in hospital in critical condition. Two VPD officers are also reportedly in hospital, being treated for “non-life-altering” injuries.
The constable later explained that the police vehicle was the “first car on the scene” and said it looked like the officers “put themselves at risk” to stop the driver.
Comox Street remains closed to all traffic between Bute and Thurlow streets.
Images from the scene show a badly damaged VPD cruiser next to a Jeep crashed onto its side.
Others show police barricades, at least one felled tree, damage to surrounding fences and plants, and a mobility scooter stopped at the scene.
The VPD says its Major Crimes Unit is investigating, but the motive remains unclear.
“Mental health and drug use issues are possible factors in this incident.”
Wong says police are asking for witnesses to come forward.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C., the province’s police watchdog, says it has been notified of the incident but will not be releasing further information at this time.
As of 8 p.m., the area has reopened to traffic.