A man from Prince George was stopped by authorities for driving a miniature pink toy Barbie Jeep along a major road in the city on September 5. Amid other events in the area, images and footage of the incident quickly circulated online, eliciting a mix of amusement and astonishment.
Kasper Lincoln, captured in photos sporting aviator sunglasses, was seen navigating the toy vehicle near Nicholson Street on 15th Avenue. He explained to CBC News that he intended to go for a slurpee with a friend but opted for the child’s car instead, driven alongside by his friend. Despite his laughter, Lincoln admitted to being unfamiliar with driving the toy before that day.
In the documented scenes, Lincoln was observed driving on a closed construction lane, later turning onto an open side street where he was intercepted and arrested by an undercover police car. Onlookers, including witness Summer Caron, expressed disbelief at the arrest, noting the slow speed and cautious driving of the small Jeep.
The police justified the stop as a routine traffic check but discovered Lincoln had a suspended license and appeared intoxicated, confirmed by subsequent breath tests and Lincoln himself. Despite police claims of multiple complaints and alleged lane positioning, Lincoln contested, stating he mostly rode on the sidewalk until encountering the blocked lane.
While some witnesses found the police intervention excessive, with Andrea Stirgard describing Lincoln as carefree and happy, others created memes mocking the event, likening it to a scene from a video game. Legal experts supported the police action, clarifying that operating unlicensed motorized toys on public roads, regardless of size, is illegal.
Lincoln, anticipating a legal battle, acknowledged the DUI charge resulting from the incident but harbored no ill feelings towards the police. He plans to challenge the ticket, emphasizing his compliance with hand signals during the drive. Despite the ordeal, Lincoln embraced the humor and messages from online posts, emphasizing the importance of responsible driving.