Police in Abbotsford are investigating whether alcohol was a factor in an early morning single-vehicle collision.
It happened near the intersection of Marshall Road and Marshall Place.
Investigators believe the minivan hit the curb, then flew up to 30 feet before slamming into the side of a building.
The driver–the only person inside the vehicle–managed to escape through the front window.
“This individual is very lucky to be alive today, based on the significant damage to the vehicle,” said Sgt. Marcus Seft.
This collision comes just two weeks after Abbotsford Police released some troubling statistics. During the first two months of this year, police found a number of impaired driving incidents are happening near schools.
About 25 per cent of them happen during the day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“What’s the likelihood that it’s only happening in Abbotsford. I think it’s highly likely it’s happening all across the lower mainland and possibly across the province,” said MADD Metro Vancouver Spokesperson Bob Rorison.
Data collected by ICBC between 2009 and 2013 found 43 per cent of impaired crashes take place between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Their statistics also showing these collisions claim 86 lives in this province every year.
Rorison says the laws are tough and the messaging is clear. He worries some are now tuning it out.
“They simply think they can get away with it. The average impaired driver will drive several hundred times impaired before they’re stopped.”
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