Over a period of 12 hours this past weekend, Portage la Prairie RCMP arrested and charged three impaired drivers.
June 19, 2021 at 3:30pm - officers were flagged down by a passerby indicating that there was a vehicle with front end damage on Saskatchewan Avenue and 3rd St. NE in Portage la Prairie. When officers arrived, the 55-year-old male driver was still in the front driver's seat with the vehicle running. He appeared to be heavily intoxicated, was arrested and blew 230mg% twice. He's facing charges of Impaired Operation of a Conveyance, Operation of a Conveyance while over 80mg%, Uttering Threats and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, in addition to Unlawful Transportation of Liquor in a Motor Vehicle.
June 19, 2021 at 7:00pm – officers received a report of a Hit and Run on Highway 1 near North Norfolk. A white pickup truck was merging on Highway 1 when it hit the front end of a semi and continued eastbound. The semi driver pulled over to check for damage and called police. A second call was received shortly after about the same truck, now with rear end damage, as it was seen swerving and still travelling eastbound on Highway 1. Thanks to both tips, police were able to locate the truck on Highway 1 near road 26W. The 41-year-old male driver was arrested and taken back to the detachment where he blew 220 and 210mg%. His vehicle was impounded, licence seized and is facing charges of Impaired Operation of a Conveyance, Operate a Conveyance while over 80mg%, Failure to Stop After an Accident and Resist Arrest.
June 20, 2021 at 2:00am – Portage la Prairie RCMP received a call from Headingley RCMP advising of a possible impaired driver heading west on Highway 1 towards Portage La Prairie. Officers located the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The 27-year-old male driver showed visible signs of impairment and refused to comply with the Alcohol Screening Device demand. Vehicle impounded, licence seized and charged with Failure or Refusal to Comply with Breath Demand.
In Canada, it is a criminal offence to operate a conveyance while your ability to operate the conveyance is impaired by alcohol and/or drug as well as having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that exceeds 80 mg% (.08). Failing to comply with a demand will result in criminal charges, which carry the same, or greater, penalties as driving while impaired.