BC Highway Patrol and Merritt RCMP stop motorcyclist for excessive speed and flight from police

Merritt, BC Highway Patrol

2023-05-24 08:24 PDT

File # BCHP Merritt 2023-1863

On May 14, 2023 at approximately 7:00pm, an officer with BC Highway Patrol – Merritt was conducting speed enforcement on Highway # 5 at the Juliet Bridge near Merritt, BC when he observed a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed in the Northbound lanes. The officer established that the motorcycle was traveling at a speed of 199 km/h within a posted 100 km/h zone and that it matched the description of a speeding motorcycle that had earlier failed to stop for police on May 12, 2023. The motorcycle failed to stop yet again - however in the interest of public safety the officer did not pursue the motorcycle. The officer radioed ahead to his colleagues who took up position in the area. A final speed of 209 km/h was established before the motorcycle exited the highway, ending up at the intersection of Vogt Street in Merritt where an officer with Merritt RCMP had taken up position. The driver of the motorcycle performed a U-turn in a failed attempt to get away, however he wiped out and was quickly taken into custody by the officer.

Cpl. J.R. Michaud of BC Highway Patrol – Kamloops said Motorcycle safety can not be over-stated. You aren’t inside the metal frame of a larger vehicle that could protect you in the event of a collision. Riding a motorcycle in this manner is shows a complete disregard for the safety of the public, and we’re glad that BC Highway Patrol was able to work together with Merritt RCMP to bring this incident to a safe conclusion with no injuries.

Photo of man in a black motorcycle helmet with black visor obscuring his face, riding a blue and white Suzuki motorcycle.

The motorcycle was impounded and confirmed to be the same one that had previously fled from police. The rider and owner, an 18 year-old Chilliwack man with a Novice motorcycle licence, was also determined to be carrying a separate fictitious driver’s licence. He now faces multiple charges and was released from custody to appear in Court next month.

BC Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists that May is High-Risk Driving Awareness month in BC, and police agencies throughout the Province are making our highways safer together by stepping up enforcement of unsafe driving behaviours. To view some safe driving tips for motorcyclists, click here.

BC Highway Patrol

Released by

Cpl. Mike Moore

Media Relations Officer
BC Highway Patrol
Office: 604 526-9744

Email: E_BCHP_Media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/highway-patrol

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