Street racing lands man in hospital
After wrapping itself around a cement pole near Colwood Corners Monday night, Colwood Fire Rescue cut the roof off a car to extract the 21-year-old driver.
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Updated: July 16, 2009 2:55 PM
A brief street race Monday night ended with one man in hospital after his car became embedded around a hydro pole.
Witnesses reported seeing two men street racing on Sooke Road heading west, near Colwood Corners, shortly before 9 p.m. July 13. One car lost control and collided with a concrete hydro pole while the other was able to stop safely. There was nothing to suggest alcohol or drugs at the scene, said West Shore RCMP Const. Denise Rallison.
"It's obviously an accident that didn't need to happen," Rallison said. "This kind of driving isn't necessary."
Colwood Fire Rescue arrived on scene at 9:45 p.m. and had the victim removed from the car by 10:38 p.m. Using the Jaws of Life, the extrication was complicated by the damage to the driver's side, said fire Chief Russ Cameron. The pole penetrated the driver's side of the car.
"His legs were entangled in the wreckage and we had to take a little care obviously," Cameron said.
The man was conscious at the time and was taken to hospital with lower body injuries. Charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm have been recommended for both of the drivers. The vehicles have also been impounded for 48 hours, although the crashed car is beyond repair.
Both driver's involved are 21 and are friends.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
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