Driver flees after hitting car and losing tire in Kelowna

KELOWNA — The driver of a pickup truck that hit another vehicle in Kelowna and then fled may be facing charges.

The collision happened at the intersection of Springfield Road and Dilworth Drive around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, according to Cpl. Scott Falkingham with Kelowna RCMP.

Falkingham says the male driver of the black pickup truck lost a tire after hitting a Saturn car but continued to flee.

“Early reports into our investigation reveal that he was driving very very fast without a wheel on his car. That is a very dangerous thing to do,” says Falkingham.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Early reports into our investigation reveal that he was driving very very fast without a wheel on his car. That is a very dangerous thing to do," says Falkingham.

He says the driver, 25, traveled about a kilometre to the corner of Byrns Road and Benvoulin Road.

“The car was in very bad shape at the time and it’s amazing that he made it as far as he did,” says Falkingham.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The car was in very bad shape at the time and it's amazing that he made it as far as he did," says Falkingham.

The driver apparently tried to take a turn at the intersection when he lost control, nearly hitting oncoming vehicles, eventually landing in a ditch.

“It made it a lot worse for him. He almost took out a couple of cars on the way […] and he concerned a lot of citizens on the road,” says Falkingham.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It made it a lot worse for him. He almost took out a couple of cars on the way […] and he concerned a lot of citizens on the road," says Falkingham.

Falkingham says the driver fled the scene of the accident because he doesn’t have a license.

“We are still investigating whether or not charges are going to be laid but at this time preliminary investigation shows that charges will be laid,” says Falkingham.

He says the male driver of the Saturn did not suffer major injuries.