RCMP were called out to a dangerous situation on Highway 1, after reports of an erratic driver east of Portage la Prairie.
Just before 5 p.m. on May 29th, a concerned witness contacted police after their parked car, with a young child in a car seat, was hit by another car in a business parking lot between Oaville and Portage. The suspect vehicle left the scene and headed westbound.
Officers quickly located the vehicle trying to make a sudden turn onto Highway 1A. While the car was still moving, police watched as the driver climbed into the back seat. An additional man was also in the vehicle.
The car eventually came to a stop, but neither of the men responded to police instructions and had to be removed from the vehicle. RCMP say both were showing signs of heavy intoxication.
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The 36-year-old driver from Winnipeg was arrested and taken to the Portage detachment, where he refused to provide a breath sample. He now faces charges of Failing to Comply with a Breath Demand and Failing to Stop After an Accident.
He was also issued six traffic tickets totalling $2,195, had his licence suspended, and the vehicle was towed and impounded for at least 60 days. He was later released with a court date set for next month.
The 28-year-old passenger, also from Winnipeg, was released without charges.
Thankfully, the witness and the child in the parked car were not physically injured.
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