A 36-year-old Winnipeg man is facing several charges after driving while intoxicated and smashing into a vehicle with a young child in it.
Portage La Prairie RCMP say they received report of a possible impaired driver on Highway 1, just east of Portage La Prairie at around 4:45 p.m. last Thursday.
A witness spotted the suspect's vehicle driving into the parking lot of a business between Oakville and Portage La Prairie. Officers quickly responded and learned the suspect had struck the witness vehicle that was parked with a young child in a car seat, before fleeing.
Officers were able to locate the vehicle trying to make an exit onto Highway 1A. The driver, while the vehicle was still moving, climbed into the back seat.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop, at which time, officers also noted that there was a male passenger in the vehicle. Neither of them responded to commands given by police and showed signs of being heavily intoxicated.
Both of them were arrested.
The driver, a 36-year-old male from Winnipeg faces charges of Failing to Comply with a Breath Demand and Failing to Stop After an Accident.
He was also issued six tickets under the Highway Traffic Act totalling $2,195.00. His license was suspended, and the vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 60 days.
The 28-year-old male passenger, also from Winnipeg was released without charges.
Neither the witness nor the child was physically injured.
Portage La Prairie RCMP continue to investigate.