A man may be charged after he allegedly drove his vehicle into the sea as part of a livestreamed-video stunt, Port Moody police say.
Police were called to the boat launch at Rocky Point Park about 10 p.m. Monday after a driver allegedly drove off the pier into Burrard Inlet, Const. Sam Zacharias said.
The stunt was allegedly instigated by a U.S. social media influencer who offered to pay the driver to do it on camera.
The driver was arrested at the scene and may face charges. Investigators are looking at “criminal offences including mischief — interfering or impeding lawful use of property — and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle,” Zacharias said.
The car is still submerged in the inlet because tow operators were unable to retrieve it Monday night. As a result, the boat launch was partly closed on Tuesday.
“Police are aware of videos of this incident circulating on social media,” said Zacharias.
While the stunt might be a first for Port Moody Police, it’s not unprecedented as social media users sometimes go to extremes in a chase for viral videos.
Last month, a Texas man was extradited to Colorado to face charges after riding a motorcycle at speeds up to 240 km/h while weaving through traffic and posting it on YouTube.
Zacharias said, while the Rocky Point incident appears to have been instigated by an American YouTube celebrity, Port Moody’s investigators are focused on the stunt itself, not anyone who might have encouraged it.
“But that does not necessarily mean there is no culpability for those involved outside of the country.”
