On April 18, at approximately 6:05 a.m., Thompson RCMP were responding to a call for service in the city and were driving on Selkirk Avenue, in Thompson. A vehicle was exiting a parking lot when the driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic and pulled out in front of the police vehicle. The officer took evasive action to avoid colliding with the vehicle and went onto the curb and snowbank, striking a lamp post. The vehicle did collide with the rear of the police vehicle, but the damage was minimal.
The officers were not injured and immediately exited the vehicle. They approached the other vehicle, which was now stopped in the middle of the road. The driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested.
The driver was taken to hospital as a medical precaution and was treated and released.
The 33-year-old driver from Thompson is facing charges of Impaired Operation of a Conveyance, and Refusal to Comply with an Alcohol/Drug Demand and is scheduled to appear in court on June 29, 2021, in Thompson.
Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.
Steinbach crash
Steinbach RCMP were patrolling for a vehicle after receiving reports that the driver may be impaired. While driving northbound on Old Tom Road in Steinbach, looking for the possibly impaired driver, officers saw the vehicle coming towards them.
The impaired driver was driving southbound, but swerved into the northbound lane, coming directly toward the police vehicle. The officer driving took immediate evasive action and veered to the right. The vehicle struck the rear driver side door of the RCMP vehicle.
The officers were uninjured in the collision and were able to exit the vehicle to check on the other driver. The 38-year-old male from Steinbach was uninjured, but showed visible signs of impairment. He was arrested at the scene. The male was over double the legal limit of 80 mgs of alcohol.
Dangerous driving
As this collision marks the second time in two days that a RCMP vehicle was struck by an impaired driver, the police would like to emphasize the dangers of impaired driving. Each year in Manitoba, the RCMP responds to approximately 45 deaths involving an impaired driver and 150 collisions where people are injured by an impaired driver. A small decision can have great consequences - make the choice to drive sober so everyone can stay safe on the road.
