Driver who fled Saanich crash had breath samples more than twice the legal limit

A loud crash at 1:50 a.m. Monday alerted a pair of Saanich police officers to what appeared to be the aftermath of a vehicle hitting a concrete traffic island on Cedar Hill Cross Road.

A trail of debris and fluids led them to a vehicle in a parking lot on Ophir Street. When they pulled up, a man got out of the driver’s seat and ran. One of the officers caught up to him when he couldn’t get over a fence.

The man provided breath samples that were over twice the legal alcohol limit of .08. It was also determined that he was prohibited from driving and was on probation for a breaking-andentering conviction.

“This individual made a series of poor decisions that posed significant risks to the public, fortunately only resulting in substantial consequences for him and him alone,” said Const. Markus Anastasiades.

A 36-year-old Nanaimo man is facing charges that include impaired driving, driving while prohibited and breach of probation.