British Columbia

New McLaren impounded minutes after driver leaves dealership

A Coquitlam man lost his brand new McLaren minutes after driving it off the lot this month — busted during his first joyride down the Trans-Canada Highway.

Supercar was going more than 70 km/h over the limit

West Vancouver police impounded this McLaren after its owner was caught driving more than 70 km/h over the speed limit, minutes after driving it away from the dealership on June 17. (West Vancouver Police)

A Coquitlam man lost his brand new McLaren minutes after driving it off the lot this month — busted during his first joyride down the Trans-Canada Highway.

The 39-year-old picked up his new supercar in West Vancouver on June 17. Local police said one of its officers spotted him racing west on Highway 1 just after 10 p.m.

The officer clocked the car's speed at 161 km/h in the 90 km/h zone. When he pulled the driver over near Cypress Bowl Road, the man behind the wheel said he had left the dealership just 10 minutes earlier.

The vehicle, worth more than $250,000, was towed from the scene and impounded for a week. A police statement said the driver was ticketed $368 for excessive speeding.

The 2019 McLaren 600LT is said to be worth more than $250,000. (West Vancouver Police)

West Vancouver Police Const. Kevin Goodmurphy gave a reminder to drivers to slow down on the roads, especially heading into the warm summer months.

"Your life is worth it," Goodmurphy said.