Castlegar RCMP are recommending charges of assault and mischief endangering life against a 26 year-old Nelson man after an incident on January 8 at about 3 a.m. in which a limousine ride for a driver and 18 passengers ended in a collision on Columbia Avenue.
The limo had been hired to drive the group of people from Nelson to Castlegar for the evening, and then to drive them all home.
According to several passengers, one of the passengers aboard the limousine grew aggressive and began yelling and moving around. This passenger then allegedly grabbed the driver and was assaulting him as they drove. At one point the male allegedly grabbed the steering wheel and the driver lost control, causing the limo to hit a sign post, fire hydrant and a cement barrier before coming to a stop.
No injuries were reported, but substantial damage was done to the sign post, cement barrier as well as the hydrant, which was sheared off. The male suspect was located a short distance away and arrested. He was released from custody on several conditions, one of which is a daily curfew from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan, 20.