Five people were sent to hospital and one man is in custody after a massive brawl involving a busload of recent graduates broke out at a Cloverdale service station Wednesday night.
Surrey RCMP say a chartered bus carrying about 50 young men and women aged 18 and 19 stopped for a break behind a service station at Highway 10 and 176 Street in Cloverdale at about 11:30 p.m. A number of the youth had exited the bus and were milling around when a car carrying two young men drove through the area.
"A confrontation occurred between the motorist and the group of youth that were standing in the roadway to the point where the vehicle ended up stopped," said Surrey RCMP Sgt. Drew Grainger.
He said damage was done to the car and the driver and passenger got out and began to fight with some of the youth, many of whom had been drinking.
Bear spray was used and a knife was brandished, although police say it remains uncertain by whom.
The 22-year-old male driver of the car was slashed across the chest before getting a two-by-four and swinging it at a number of the young people, allegedly striking at least three of them, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
“This confrontation quickly escalated violently and was fueled by a toxic mix of alcohol, testosterone, and poor judgment,” said Grainger.
The driver of the car was treated in hospital before being taken into custody. Grainger said he faces possible charges of assault causing bodily harm.
Three people remained in hospital as of Thursday morning, said Grainger.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation continues, he said.
Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP’s Serious Crime Section at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if they wish to remain anonymous.