Bob Mackin
The driver of a car that crashed into a tree near the Vancouver Law Courts parkade exit on June 18 is scheduled to be tried next year on assault and drug charges, theBreaker has learned.
Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said June 19 that a man in his 30s was released from custody on an undertaking to appear in court. “The investigation is ongoing and numerous charges will be recommended,” said the VPD news release.
theBreaker is not naming the man, because he has not been charged for the incident.
VPD Const. Megan Lui declined to confirm the man’s name.
“I can say that he has been released from the hospital,” Lui said.
Vancouver Police arrest driver of a car that crashed into a tree on June 18 at Robson Square. (Cesar Marquez/Instagram)
Trials upcoming
A source said the man was charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in 2024 near Victoria and assault causing bodily harm in Maple Ridge in 2025.
Victoria Police allegedly seized cocaine, oxycodone, black market tobacco, money, mobile phones and a score sheet from a vehicle. Early last year, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ordered Victoria Police to relinquish a seized Tesla Model Y and $18,500 cash to the man.
Court files show he has nine Motor Vehicle Act files since 2011, most of which for speeding.
Near World Cup crowds
The crash happened around the corner from Robson Square’s FIFA World Cup art display and almost two blocks west of the Granville Mall watch party on the same afternoon that Canada beat Qatar 6-0 in B.C. Place Stadium.
The man was arrested at gunpoint, wearing a red soccer jersey. At least one of the officers on-scene wore clothing that indicated he was a member of the World Cup security operation.
VPD said an automatic licence plate reader detected the vehicle for inactive insurance and a prohibited driver. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle near Howe and Robson, but the driver fled to the parkade under Robson Square and crashed into a tree near Hornby and Robson, narrowly missing pedestrians.
According to the source, the man was treated in hospital for a scalp wound.
