Erratic and impaired driver arrested after fleeing from police on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt

| March 26, 2022 in BC Interior

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A Sri Lankan man was arrested and charged following a dangerous incident on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt last week. 

According to police, on March 17, officers attempted to stop a grey Chevrolet Tahoe on Hwy 5 at Coldwater River after they received multiple reports that the driver was acting erratic and possibly impaired. 

The man fled from police at a high rate of speed, driving dangerously and almost ran into a number of vehicles. 

He was only stopped after the successful deployment of a spike belt. Once stopped, the man was taken into custody without further incident. 

"Events on the highway such as this are very dangerous for the public and police," said Cpl. Brock Hedrick, "Our officers did an excellent job managing a dynamic and volatile situation to safely take the man into custody without injuries to anyone or any property damage, other than his four tires."

The next day, Aruthumaran Ambikawathy was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police. He also had multiple warrants for assault in Surrey. 

Ambikawathy is set to appear in Court on April 12 in the Lower Mainland. 

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