This is two weekends in a row now that Manitoba RCMP apprehend three impaired drivers in a single shift. Last week's occurrences occurred in the Lundar/Ashern area, this past weekend, it was Thompson's turn.
In the span of 12 hours on Saturday, May 1, 2021, Thompson RCMP responded to three separate traffic incidents where the vehicle drivers were found to be impaired.
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.
At approximately 1:45 pm, officers received a complaint of a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Princeton Drive and Thompson Drive, near Mystery Lake Road. It was reported that a vehicle rear-ended another vehicle and then fled the scene. As officers were attending the scene, information was received that led them to an address on Poplar Crescent where the suspect vehicle was located. The investigation led to the arrest of a 28-year-old female, from Thompson, for impaired driving. She was taken to the detachment where she provided breath samples that were found to be over twice the legal limit. She was released for court scheduled July 20, in Thompson, on charges of Operating a Conveyance with a BAC that exceeds 80 mg% (.08) as well as Failing to Stop after an Accident.
At approximately 10:05 pm, an officer observed a vehicle driving erratically near the Thompson Inn. A traffic stop was initiated and the subsequent investigation led to the driver providing a lawful breath demand on an Approved Screening Device (ASD) to which he failed. The 54-year-old male driver, from Thompson, was served with a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition for Alcohol (IRP) drivers license suspension and released from custody.
At approximately 1:25 am, a traffic stop was initiated on Mystery Lake Road. The investigation led to the arrest of a 31-year-old female, from Thompson, for impaired driving. She was taken to the detachment where she provided breath samples that were found to be over three times the legal limit. During the course of the investigation, the 31-year-old female provided a false name. Her true identity was uncovered and it was determined that she had a Warrant out for her arrest from The Pas for a previous Impaired Driving incident. She was remanded into custody on charges including Operating a Conveyance with a BAC that exceeds 80 mg% (.08), Operation of a Conveyance while Impaired and Obstructing a Police Officer.
All three accused each received a 90-day licence suspension as well having their vehicle seized and impounded.