Shocking cop-stop video

A Salt Spring Island RCMP officer was injured during an incident, early Saturday.

Shortly after 12 a.m., officers were conducting an impaired driving checkpoint when a man driving a Chevrolet Blazer attempted to avoid the checkpoint, nearly striking an officer who was on foot.

A stationary police car was then rammed head-on by the suspect vehicle. Officers approached the SUV, smashing out the driver's side window in an attempt to gain control of the suspect. 

A second police vehicle attempted to box the suspect vehicle in and was also rammed as the suspect drove back and forth between the two police vehicles, causing significant damage to both. 

Despite their attempts to stop the man from driving away, he managed to manoeuvre his vehicle out from between the two police cars and flee.

A third police vehicle followed the suspect vehicle, locating it a short distance away, upside-down in the ditch.

As officers and local fire crews arrived at the crash scene, they attempted to render assistance to the suspect.

The man then armed himself with an axe from inside the SUV and attempted to use a lighter to set the vehicle on fire.

After several hours, the suspect was forced from the vehicle and apprehended under the Mental Health Act. He was transported to the local hospital for medical assessment. 

The extent of the suspect's physical injuries are unknown at this time, but not believed to be serious in nature.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been notified and will continue to monitor the case.

The officer seated in the first police car sustained neck and back injuries and is expected to be off duty for some time.

Charges have not yet been laid, but are expected as the investigation progresses.

Police ask anyone who witnessed this incident, or captured video of it, to contact the Salt Spring Island RCMP at 250-537-5555. 

WARNING: This video was captured at the scene and contains graphic language.

(Credit: Kyle Matheson/ViralHog)