Speeding BMW driver nearly hit officer because he was reading text message: BCHP

Police shared a photo from the officer's body-worn camera in their news release. (BC Highway Patrol

B.C. Highway Patrol says one of its officers was nearly struck by a speeding Kelowna driver in a BMW on Highway 97 last week, and the man behind the wheel admitted he didn’t see the officer because he was reading a text message.

The incident happened near 83 Mile House on July 16. Around 4 p.m., a BCHP officer wearing a high-visibility vest stepped onto the highway to stop the 27-year-old driver after clocking him going 145 km/h in a 110 km/h zone.

“There should have been plenty of time and distance to stop,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, in a news release from the BCHP.

“But it’s hard to see the police when you are reading a text message. That was the driver’s explanation.”

After blowing past the first officer – who got off the highway safely – the driver was stopped by a second officer farther up the road, according to the BCHP.

Police issued three violation tickets with fines totalling more than $700. The Motor Vehicle Act violations for which the driver was ticketed were speeding by 21 to 40 km/h over the posted limit (a $196 fine), using an electronic device while driving ($368) and failing to stop for police when signalled ($144).

Police did not name the driver in their release, but they did include a photo of the vehicle taken by the officer’s body-worn camera.

“RCMP officers are in the process of transitioning to body cameras, and when you drive by police, your actions will likely be recorded,” said McLaughlin. “We are grateful the driver eventually stopped. This was a dangerous situation that could have ended much worse for both the police officers and the driver.”