A 911 hang-up led Penticton RCMP on a vehicle chase on Wednesday.
Police were dispatched around midnight to a 911 hang-up from a residence on Hastings Avenue.
“The female spouse had been assaulted and the male spouse was in the process of leaving the residence in a truck upon the arrival of the RCMP,” said Sgt. Rick Dellebuur. “RCMP attempted to stop the male who was leaving in a white pickup but he refused to stop and sped off. RCMP members made patrols and several times sighted and attempted to stop the white pickup, but each time the driver refused to stop.”
At one point RCMP said the man swerved at an oncoming marked police vehicle on Industrial Avenue. The officer had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
Nearly 35 minutes after the initial call RCMP were advised the truck had struck a pole near Lawrence Avenue. A witness indicated to police that the driver exited the vehicle and was in the backyard of a nearby residence.
A 34-year-old Penticton man was arrested and charges of assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and evading police have been recommended.
The female suffered injuries to her head and mouth that were not life threatening.