Report of a female in distress leads to arrest after high speed pursuit.

On July 28, 2024 at 7:25pm, the Fort St John RCMP received multiple reports of a female passenger in distress, potentially being held against her will, in a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed in the Cecil Lake area, northeast of Fort St John, BC.

Frontline police officers attended and located a vehicle matching the description of the reports and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the suspect vehicle collided with a police vehicle and then fled at a high rate of speed.

Frontline police officers initiated a pursuit based on known information in attempts to preserve the safety of the female passenger.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop in a field in the Rose Prairie Road/ Cecil Lake Road area.

View larger photo – Vehicle stop in a field

Attending frontline police officers determined that the female was a partner to the male driver and that there was also a very young baby in the vehicle at the time.

The female and baby appeared well but were transported to hospital as a precautionary measure.

The driver was arrested on scene and transported to the detachment where he was later released on an Undertaking with protective conditions. Charges of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from Police, Endangering a Child and additional Motor Vehicle Act charges are being forwarded to BC Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.

The driver was released with a future court date of September 9, 2024.