Several people are injured, including a senior citizen who is in critical condition, after a vehicle allegedly drove through a Vancouver park, leaving a wake of destruction.
According to the Vancouver Police Department, a male driver sped through a section of Nelson Park, intentionally driving along the sidewalk in the West End on Friday morning.
The senior is in the hospital in critical condition, and two police officers were also injured.
Police are calling it a “vehicle-borne attack” that took place on Friday in the early morning hours at around 5:30 a.m. The vehicle was observed “driving erratically” in the area of Comox and Broughton streets. Police say the driver struck numerous objects, including in a dog park.
“Several witnesses in the area had to scramble to get out of the way of the suspect’s Jeep.”
Unfortunately, the senior citizen, who was riding a motorized scooter during the incident, couldn’t get out of the way of the driver.
The suspect was caught after intentionally ramming a police vehicle that was responding to the scene. He destroyed the cruiser, and the suspect’s Jeep flipped.
VPD
VPD
“He was trapped inside his vehicle and arrested near Comox and Bute streets. Multiple ambulances responded along with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, who were able to free the man from the wreckage,” VPD said.
Two police officers were also taken to the hospital.
In its statement, VPD said that mental health and drug issues are possible factors in the incident.
“The Major Crimes Unit is investigating. The VPD will update the public as more information becomes available.”
Comox Street, between Thurlow and Bute, is closed to the public. VPD has not stated how long it will be closed for.