A 40-year-old man has been arrested by B.C. RCMP after a high-speed chase that saw an allegedly stolen semi-truck end up in the Fraser River.
The incident started after Langley RCMP spotted a semi-truck around 24 Avenue and 206 Street that had mismatched license plates around 7:35 p.m. on May 14, according to RCMP.
Shortly after midnight on May 15, police said they attempted to stop the vehicle with the help of integrated police dog services.
However, the driver did not stop and started trying to ram the police vehicles. RCMP said he hit one.
“Despite police attempts to disengage, the suspect continued his aggressive actions by pursuing and intentionally ramming police vehicles before fleeing,” a May 15 RCMP news release said.
A spike belt was deployed as a tire deflation device and was able to deflate the front right tire, police said, but the truck drove away “at high speed.”
It was determined there was a “significant” risk to the public and to police safety, and the RCMP decided to pursue the truck to stop it.
The semi-truck drove through multiple residential neighbourhoods into Surrey. The RCMP deployed a second spike belt and were able to deflate the truck’s back tires; however, the driver continued to flee, “driving dangerously at high speeds, disregarding red lights, and overtaking multiple vehicles.”
Police said they continued to chase the truck, heading north on 176 Street to Highway 17 and then west into the Bridgeview area of Surrey.
“In a final reckless manoeuvre, the semi-truck was driven into a public dock area occupied by several dozen people,” police said.
The driver did not stop there—he continued on, driving off an embankment and into the Fraser River.
The driver then got out of the submerged truck and tried to get away on foot, but was arrested a short distance away, according to RCMP.
“This was an incredibly dangerous situation involving a suspect who showed zero regard for public safety or the lives of our officers,” said Sgt. Zynal Sharoom, spokesperson for Langley RCMP.
“Thanks to the skill, coordination, and professionalism of multiple policing units, this individual was safely taken into custody without injury to the public or police.”
RCMP said the 40-year-old driver remains in police custody as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the incident who has not already talked to police has been asked to contact Langley RCMP in reference to file number 2025-14838.
RCMP said the man was arrested with the coordinated efforts of Langley RCMP, the Surrey Provincial Operational Support Unit, and the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team.
