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Collision in north Red Deer leads to impaired driving charges

May 10, 2018 | 12:33 PM

A 43-year-old man faces impaired driving charges following a collision at Red Deer’s north end Wednesday afternoon.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Gaetz Avenue and Highway 11 just after 4:30 p.m. when a black Chrysler sedan crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a white Subaru SUV.

When police arrived, the suspect driver was being detained by citizens who witnessed the collision. RCMP took him into custody and Red Deer Emergency Services attended to check the suspect and victim for injuries. Fortunately, no one was injured in the collision.

“Red Deer RCMP thank those involved citizens for their assistance at the time of collision and for their continuing cooperation while police investigated the incident,” Mounties say in a release.

Charges against the driver of the sedan include impaired driving, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance. Red Deer RCMP plan to issue an update with more information once those charges are sworn before the courts.

City Mounties say the warmer weather brings with it an increased on impaired driving. Last weekend, Red Deer RCMP charged six impaired drivers, issued one 24 hour roadside suspension, and issued a second roadside suspension to the holder of a Graduated Driver’s License, who is prohibited from consuming any amount of alcohol before driving. The arrests were made through roving check stops and patrols by the Red Deer RCMP Traffic Unit.

During these impaired checks, RCMP also laid a charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, and charged a speeder for driving 102 km/ hour in a 50 km zone, which resulted in a mandatory court appearance for that driver.

Red Deer RCMP will continue their focus on getting impaired drivers off the roads throughout the spring and summer, with roving check stops and patrols in marked and unmarked police vehicles. RCMP assign extra officers to target impaired drivers at peak times such as long weekends.

“Our message is clear: make the right choice, because if you drive impaired, you’re going to get caught.”

Red Deer RCMP thank the community for continuing to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1 when it’s safe to do so with a license plate, a description of the vehicle and the driver, and the direction of travel.