Several reports of a vehicle “operating dangerously.”
The southbound lanes of the Patricia Bay Highway at Sayward Road have reopened to traffic after nearly four hours on Sunday as police dealt with a tense incident involving a dangerous driver.
Saanich police and other officers from surrounding regions were trying to stop the driver from about 6:30 a.m. until 10 a.m., when the driver was finally cornered and came to a stop on the Pat Bay at Sayward Road.
Witnesses reported seeing officers with weapons drawn near the Chevron and Petro Canada gas stations. Others on social media passing northbound indicated the vehicle may have been rammed by a police cruiser to force a stop.
Police did not immediately confirm any details of what happened.
Southbound lanes on the Patricia Bay Highway at Sayward Road were closed from 10 a.m. to about 2:40 p.m.
B.C. Emergency Health Services said it received a call at 10:06 a.m. regarding the police incident. One ambulance with primary care paramedics responded and provided emergency medical treatment and transported one patient to hospital in stable condition.
Saanich police said they responded to several reports of a vehicle “operating dangerously.” The vehicle was first spotted at 6:30 a.m. and travelled through several jurisdictions in the capital region before police were able to stop the vehicle.
Drivers were asked to find alternate routes if they were heading southbound from the Saanich Peninsula and were warned about significant delays.
Southbound lanes were closed from Sayward Road to Island View Road. Vehicles, including ferry traffic, were detoured via Island View Road at East Saanich Road.
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