South Okanagan man charged in 2019 hit-and-run incident at Skaha Lake Park

A South Okanagan man who admitted to pulling an airsoft pistol on alleged thieves in 2018 has been charged in a 2019 hit-and-run incident that left a man with serious injuries.

Tire marks at the scene of the crime indicate a vehicle drove all over the local park, across the grass and towards the beach.

In 2018, Simran Pandher apologized for using an air-soft pistol in his pursuit of a trio that allegedly tried breaking into the Skaha Liquor Store – his family’s business.

Police took Pandher into custody before determining the gun wasn’t real and did not pursue charges against the Penticton man.

However, it’s a 2019 incident that’s seen the 25-year-old charged with a crime that left tire tracks through Skaha Lake Park, which is a block away from the liquor store.

RCMP say the incident happened at 4:25 a.m., on July 21, a hit-and-run involving a red Dodge pickup truck that ran down a bicycle before fleeing the scene.

Police say the cyclist, Jonah Bowes, 33, suffered a serious lower-body injury but recovered. It was his screams from the scene that prompted several calls to 911.

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While a suspect truck was found after the hit-and-run, the suspect driver was not. But one year after the incident, Pandher was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

At the time, RCMP called the assault an isolated incident.

The matter remains before the courts. Pandher, who declined comment on the charges, is expected to be back in court on March 10 for a procedural appearance.

In related news, an online court search shows that a Jonah David Bowes has been charged with one count of flight from police on Sept. 2, 2020, and that a March 17 court date has been set.