Viral Hwy 97 garbage tosser arrested, linked to other serious incidents in Kelowna

After footage of a man throwing garbage out of his car and onto Hwy 97 went viral over the weekend, Kelowna police believe they arrested the suspect.

However, he wasn’t directly arrested for throwing garbage, but rather two more significant incidents that also happened late Saturday morning.

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The Kelowna RCMP says officers responded to the 1700 block of Harvey Avenue around 11:15 am Saturday for reports of a crash between an SUV and grey Ford Freestar van.

According to police, the driver of the van, the same van featured in the infamous video shared to the Kelowna subreddit later that day, was travelling the wrong way on Hwy 97 after a U-turn and collided with the SUV before fleeing the scene.

Just 30 minutes later, around 11:45 am, the same driver and vehicle were spotted outside a business in the 200 block of Rutland Road North.

That’s where the driver was arrested after allegedly damaging a storefront window of a local business.

“We believe this individual is linked to several other incidents including a video circulating online of the driver throwing debris out his window along Harvey Avenue,” noted Cpl. Michael Gauthier.

Gauthier’s comments match up with feedback from a local barber, who said the same man made a scene inside his shop Saturday morning as well.

According to the barber, the man said “a bunch of random s**t, sat down in one of our chairs and asked if we had a pill that could calm him down.”

He also mentioned that the man had caused an accident driving the wrong way on Hwy 97 and claimed that he also threw water all over the floor of his shop before departing.

“If someone witnessed this driver committing an offence and they’re willing to come forward with their evidence, please contact us directly at 250-762-3300,” added Gauthier.

Once arrested by police, the driver’s vehicle was towed and he was handed several fines for not having a driver’s licence or insurance, as well as driving without due care and attention.

The RCMP says the man was released from custody and there is no ongoing criminal investigation.