IIO deems injuries self-inflicted

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has cleared the Comox Valley RCMP of wrongdoing in an Oct. 5, 2022 incident where the driver of a stolen truck ended up rolling the vehicle, thereby suffering internal injuries.

The incident concluded along Crown Isle Boulevard, north of Costco, when the driver of the stolen vehicle chose to attempt ramming through a police blockade. In his report, Ronald J. MacDonald, chief civilian director of the Independent Investigations Office, concluded the officers took every precaution to minimize risks of injury to themselves, or the public.

The incident began at 12:45 p.m., when an RCMP officer located a green Dodge pick-up that had been reported stolen earlier that day. In the driver鈥檚 seat was the affected person (AP), who raced away once he realized he had been spotted, ramming the police vehicle and disabling it, then reversing over a concrete divider.

The police investigation was stepped up, with increased resources including unmarked vehicles and aerial surveillance. AP was seen driving the stolen truck in apparently random directions and at high speed. At one point, he rammed two more police vehicles when they tried to block his path. Officers were careful to avoid pursuing so as not to provoke a dangerous chase, but continued surveillance.

The AP eventually found himself on a dead-end residential street. Two police cars blocked the end of the cul-de-sac, with a municipal garbage collection vehicle next to them, effectively blocking the entire street. The AP sped toward the police vehicles, and swerved to the right, mounting the sidewalk in an attempt to smash through between the parked garbage truck and a fence bordering the residential property on the corner of the street. According to witness reports, the truck鈥檚 wheels hit a large rock, resulting in the truck flipping over onto the driver鈥檚 side. It slid forward into the intersection on its side and then rolled when it struck the opposite curb. It landed on its wheels in the front yard of a home. One of its wheels had been torn off.

Wounded Warriors reach Comox

Team members of the 2023 Wounded Warrior Run made their way March 1 to 888 Wing in Comox, completing the fourth stage of the eight-day run that began Feb. 26 in Port Hardy.

The event was created to bring awareness and to raise funds for Wounded Warriors Canada, which provides mental health supports for uniformed first responders. This year is the 10th time the event has spanned the length of Vancouver Island. The run, which ended March 5 in Victoria, raised an estimated $150,000.

Directors approve water licence despite reservations

In a 2-1 vote, the Electoral Area Services Committee approved a home occupation use for the owner of a Merville property who has applied for a water extraction licence.

Area C director Edwin Grieve and Area B director Richard Hardy voted in favour at the March 6 EASC meeting, but Area A director Daniel Arbour opposed the recommendation. 鈥淚鈥檓 really torn about voting in favour,鈥� Arbour said. 鈥淭he attitude of the applicant (Scott Mackenzie) has been challenging, and I don鈥檛 think has been helpful in this process鈥�Home occupation doesn鈥檛 sit well with me.鈥�

Mackenzie鈥檚 application has drawn its share of criticism in recent years. Some area residents are concerned about the effects on their local aquifer. The Merville Water Guardians feel the neighbourhood is not amenable to a water trucking business.

Curbside collection carts announced

The City of Courtenay and Town of Comox are collaborating on a new automated residential collection service launching in January 2024 for residents receiving curbside collection service. The service will use specially designed, easy-to-roll carts with lids. New collection trucks will have mechanical arms operated by a driver inside the truck鈥檚 cab. The arms will grab, lift and empty materials, then return carts to the curb.

The issue remained contentious throughout the year.

TikTok challenge ends badly

A TikTok challenge involving kicking a home鈥檚 door and running away before the occupants answer took a nasty turn in Crown Isle, when the homeowners confronted the youths.

According to homeowner Owen May, his door was kicked repeatedly, late in the night on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of the same week (March 13). He said he called the RCMP after the second incident, but the trespassing persisted, to no avail. After the fourth incident of the week, Friday, March 17, May decided to take matters into his own hands, to catch the perpetrators. He set up a trip wire with fishing line under the door so that when the perpetrator kicked the door and tried to run away, the line would trip him up. The youths came back on Sunday night.

The Mays saw them approaching, jumped out of bed and went to the front door.

鈥淎s soon as they came and kicked on the door, I was on the other side of the door and pulled the line tight and caught his ankle,鈥� said May.

The one youth tripped, and the front door immediately opened and May鈥檚 wife, Laura, pounced on the fallen trespasser. The ensuing struggle with the teens at the front of the Mays鈥� house resulted in severe lacerations to Owen鈥檚 arms and legs. His injuries are so extensive he can鈥檛 put on socks or shoes, and therefore can鈥檛 work. Laura needed stitches to her eyelid. The assailants allegedly used flashlights as weapons and ripped her top off.

SPORTS

Wrestler wins provincial gold

G.P. Vanier Grade 11 student Unya Hollmayer is a provincial wrestling champion. Hollmayer took the top step on the podium, improving on last year鈥檚 silver medal as a Grade 10 wrestler.

Levins sets marathon mark

Black Creek athlete Cam Levins set a new North American record for marathon running at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon Sunday, March 5 with a time of 2:05:36, lowering the North American mark by two seconds. Levins finished fifth in the Tokyo Marathon, just 14 seconds behind the winner, Deso Gelmisa of Ethiopia. Photo via @JRNHeadlines/Twitter)

2 new champions at Comox Valley RV half marathon

A total of 548 finishers crossed the final timing mat of the 2023 Comox Valley RV Half Marathon on Sunday, March 19. Amongst them was debutant Jackson Bocksnick with his 1:08:50 win. Meanwhile, Kylie Acford won the women鈥檚 race in 1:20:21 鈥� a new personal best time. Both are from Victoria.