Nanaimo Mounties are investigating after one of their members crashed a patrol car on the weekend.
The crash happened Saturday about 1:40 p.m. when the officer gave chase to two speeding motorcycles on Uplands Drive, lost control of the patrol car on a curve and collide with a tree and a fence.
The car was heavily damaged as was a fence and tree it collided with before coming to rest on the front lawn of a residence.
Constable Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the officer received cuts and face to his face.
“He was heading down Uplands, trying to negotiate a turn at Mexicana, lost control and went the off road,” O’Brien said. “He had his lights and siren on and was trying to catch up with some motorcycles.”
The section of road was closed for several hours while traffic analysts investigated the crash scene.
“What we can say is speed is a contributing factor and the layout of the road,” O’Brien said.
A mechanical inspection will be done on the patrol car before police make their recommendations regarding any possible discipline or retraining of of the officer driving the car.
Police continue to search for the motorcyclists.