Merritt: A motorcyclist is facing charges after he was caught driving at 209 km/h on Highway 5 where the speed limit is 100 km/h, according to the police.
In a press release, BC RCMP said on May 14 at approximately 7:00pm, an officer with BC Highway Patrol Merritt was conducting speed enforcement on Highway 5 at the Juliet Bridge near Merritt when he observed a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed in the Northbound lanes.
The RCMP said the officer established that the motorcycle was traveling at a speed of 199 km/h within a posted 100 km/h zone and that it matched the description of a speeding motorcycle that had earlier failed to stop for police on May 12.
“The motorcycle failed to stop yet again. However, in the interest of public safety, the officer did not pursue the motorcycle. The officer radioed ahead to his colleagues who took up position in the area. A final speed of 209 km/h was established before the motorcycle exited the highway, ending up at the intersection of Vogt Street in Merritt where an officer with Merritt RCMP had taken up position. The driver of the motorcycle performed a U-turn in a failed attempt to get away, however he wiped out and was quickly taken into custody by the officer,” the BC RCMP said.
The RCMP said the motorcycle was impounded and confirmed to be the same one that had previously fled from the police. The 18-year-old rider from Chilliwack with a Novice motorcycle licence was also determined to be carrying a separate fictitious driver’s licence, the police said.