MERRITT, B.C. — A Red Deer man who didn't bother to buckle up is now facing several charges in southern British Columbia, and failure to use a seatbelt is the least of his problems.
RCMP near Merritt say officers tried to pull over a westbound red Ford pickup last Friday because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and appeared to have loose cargo in the back of the truck.
Instead the man, accompanied by a female passenger, began to drive erratically along Highway 97C, racing through a red light and attempting a sharp turn onto the Coquihalla Highway access, before skidding off the road.
Officers say the man and woman tried to run on foot but were quickly arrested.
The Red Deer resident, who hasn't been named, remains in custody, charged with various offences including possession of stolen property and breaching conditions related to charges laid in Alberta.
The woman passenger also appeared before a judge and has been released while awaiting a next court date on charges of possessing break in instruments.