Owner clings to back of stolen truck, unhurt in fiery crash

Photo: Contributed

A truck involved in a burning crash near Kamloops Wednesday was stolen on Oct. 11, according to police.

The vehicle was spotted by a friend of the owner, who then followed it north of the city.

"When the owner approached the vehicle, the suspects started to drive away so the owner jumped on the back of the flatbed pickup," Kamloops RCMP said in a press release.

After the truck took off, it allegedly hit a power pole on Parkcrest Avenue before heading north.

"It then went down Singh Street, Ord Road and made its way onto Westsyde Road … with the owner still clinging onto the back of the pickup truck," police say.

Witnesses have told police the truck drove through oncoming traffic, ran red lights and topped out at over 100 km/h while barrelling through the Westsyde area.

Police were able to catch up to the truck after it crashed through a fence, into a field, and caught fire.

"Officers attempted to put out the flames with fire extinguishers, but were not successful and the vehicle was engulfed."

Police arrested two suspects at the scene, both with non-life-threatening injuries.

The owner not only survived the ordeal, but walked away unscathed. 

“We are very thankful that there were no serious injuries to anyone involved in this situation,” says Cpl. Jodi Shelkie. “We suggest that the public contacts the police if they witness a stolen vehicle being driven. Luckily, the owner was not injured, but it could have been a very different outcome.”