On January 1, 2020, Whitbourne RCMP received two separate complaints of single-vehicle collisions involving suspected impaired drivers.
The first was reported just before 2:00 a.m. Police attended the Trans-Canada Highway near Monty's Restaurant in Whitbourne. A truck was observed in the ditch. The driver, a 38-year-old man of St. John's, was located walking along the highway a short distance away. He was arrested for impaired driving and was transported back to Whitbourne Detachment for breath testing. He refused to provide a breath sample and is now facing charges of impaired driving and refusing to provide a breath sample.
The second incident was reported to police just before 6:30 p.m. Officers were called to the Trans-Canada Highway, just east of Whitbourne. A car had departed the roadway and was in the ditch. Police arrived on scene and located the driver, a 47-year-old man of Whitbourne. He provided a roadside sample of his breath that resulted in a fail. He was arrested for impaired driving by alcohol and transported to Whitbourne Detachment for further breath testing. The man refused to provided a breath sample, became violent and assaulted one of the officers. He now faces charges of impaired driving, refusing to provide a breath sample and assaulting a police officer.
The two individuals were released from custody and are scheduled to attend court at a later date.