A Surrey resident is expected to face charges following an incident in which a car drove into a restricted area at the Pacific Border Crossing Wednesday night.
It occurred around 9:30 p.m. Jan. 6, and ended when the car struck a Canadian Border Services Agency vehicle while attempting to flee north into Canada – in a southbound lane.
Surrey's RCMP Sgt. Paul Hayes said the Mounties were initially called by the CBSA for backup, but subsequently took over investigation of the incident.
A 46-year-old man was taken into custody following the collision – which did not result in serious injury – and later released on a promise to appear in court.
Police believe that drinking and driving was a factor in the train of events that started when the driver drove into a restricted area reserved for trucks exporting goods. Confronted by two CBSA officers in a marked vehicle, Hayes said the man tried to escape by driving north into Canada in a lane for U.S.-bound commercial traffic.
"He was going against traffic, trying to get back to the Canadian side," Hayes told Peace Arch News Friday. "The CBSA vehicle got ahead of him and he drove into the vehicle, rear-ending it.
"Luckily, nobody was seriously injured, although an ambulance was called, to check that everyone was okay.
"We expect there will be impaired charges as a result of this."
A witness said U.S.-bound truck traffic was diverted while the area was blocked.