A 42-year-old man from Duncan who is well known to the police is facing charges of impaired driving, possession of an unregistered restricted weapon, refusing to provide a breath sample and dangerous driving, after a single-vehicle accident on Sooke Road Thursday afternoon.

Officers were called to an accident in the 5800 block of Sooke Road around 1:30 p.m., where a Jeep was found resting on its side down a ravine.

Witnesses said the Jeep was travelling at excessive speed heading towards Sooke, and was swerving “all over the road” before hitting a hydro pole, knocking out a fence, and rolling into the ravine.

“The driver, surprisingly, sustained only minor injuries. The vehicle was completely demolished,” said Sgt. Jeff McArthur in a press release.

Another witness told police the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 180 km/h in the four lanes of Highway 14 in Langford, and that it was passing other vehicles over a double solid line.

“So many calls were received on 911 it overwhelmed the South Island Operational Communication Centre,” McArthur said.

After a search of the area where the vehicle was resting, police found open bottles of alcohol and a loaded handgun.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 250-642-5241 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.