A Surrey RCMP officer was injured Friday morning when his police cruiser was rammed by a speeding motorist driving a rental car loaded with drugs.
The confrontation started when an officer tried to pull over a 2011 Dodge Charger for a traffic violation at 88th Avenue and 128th Street.
The driver didn't stop, and took off around North Surrey, speeding through red lights and stop signs.
A police helicopter pursued the vehicle, said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Drew Grainger, noting that police on the ground stood by while Air One monitored the vehicle from above.
When the driver arrived in the area of 96A Avenue and 117B Street, he got out of the car. But before police could reach him, he jumped back in and sped toward approaching police cruisers, ramming two of them and striking a parked car, injuring one officer in the process.
Once again, the driver took off, pursued only by the helicopter, Grainger said.
"We spiked the car," he said, explaining that officers dropped a spike belt across the road, which burst the Charger's tires.
The driver eventually lost control and went off the road in the area of Prince Charles Blvd. and Huntley Ave.
Officers arrived as the driver attempted to get his car back on the road. Police blocked him, and he rammed another cruiser, causing minor damage.
He was arrested soon after, Grainger said.
While searching the car, officers found a substantial amount of drugs.
"It certainly has all the earmarks of this guy being a dial-a-doper," the officer said.
The 21-year-old suspect faces multiple charges including dangerous driving, possession of a controlled substance, evading police and assaulting a police officer. His name has not been released.
