Police are considering pressing robbery and assault with a weapon charges against a man who allegedly stole an ATV and injured four people while behind the wheel at a B.C. music festival on the Canada Day Long Weekend.
The four victims suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries according to Princeton RCMP, who are investigating the incident that happened Jun. 30 at 2 a.m. at the Curiosity Music Festival.
Festival organizers said seven people in total were injured and four patrons were transported to hospital.
One of the alleged victims of the assault, a Kelowna man, said he sustained a fractured spine.
“We were holding hands walking to the stage,” Jessica Laplante told Global News. “That’s when I was hit from behind.”
“I blacked out and woke up to see Dustin, my boyfriend, about 10-feet away on the ground,” she said.
WATCH BELOW: Full interview with Jessica Laplante
“I heard screams and saw the ATV crash into the stage, hitting approximately five people,” Jessica Laplante said. “I waited for the ambulance as I took over from the medic holding Dustin’s head and watched them cut off his coats, hoodie and shirt while talking about possible neck spinal injury.”
Laplante said an initial assessment at Merritt hospital did not locate Dustin Stoelwinder’s spine injury. It was discovered at Kelowna General Hospital upon followup on Monday, she said.
“It was really, really scary,” she said.
WATCH BELOW: Full interview with Dustin Stoelwinder
Upon initial investigation, police say the man in question was being treated by first aid staff when he became unruly and aggressive.
Following a short physical altercation, the man stole the side-by-side and drove it into a crowd in front of the main stage, according to RCMP.
Festival organizers declined an interview with Global News but said in a statement posted on its Facebook page that it was an unpredictable and isolated event.
“Our medical and security staff acted accordingly and treated all parties saving further injury,” it said.
Counselling and ongoing support is being offered to the victims, according to festival organizers.
“Curiosity Music Festival would like to extend its sincerest apologies to all the victims involved. This incident was unpredictable and all staff acted in the best possible way to respond and contain any further injury or threat,” it said.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has more information, they are asked to contact Princeton RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
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