Squamish man criminally charged after fleeing from police on Highway 99

A Squamish man has been criminally charged following a high-speed flight from police on Highway 99.

Local resident Derek Silva has been criminally charged with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Flight from Police after a multi-jurisdictional incident that happened shortly after 9 p.m. on October 30th, 2025, West Vancouver Police said in a press release.

The incident began when a West Vancouver Police officer recorded a vehicle driving westbound at a very high rate of speed. To prioritize public safety, the officer did not pursue the vehicle but instead coordinated with law enforcement partners to intercept it.

The driver continued at high speed northbound on Highway 99, where he again failed to stop for BC Highway Patrol. An officer successfully deployed a spike belt approximately one kilometre north of Porteau Cove, bringing the vehicle to a stop. The driver was arrested at the scene and taken into police custody.

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“It was an extremely dangerous situation that could have resulted in significant injury or death to members of the public and responding officers. We understand the concern incidents like this cause for the local community, and we thank the officers involved for bringing this incident to an end quickly and safely,” says Suzanne Birch, spokesperson for the West Vancouver Police Department.

“BC Highway Patrol and West Vancouver Police will continue to follow up on dangerous incidents to ensure that our highways are as safe as possible,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “We completely understand and support people’s desires to have safer roads where they live and work.”