DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER CRASHES, BREATH SAMPLE REFUSAL

(July 28th)

A 29-year-old man is facing multiple Criminal Code charges after Baie Verte RCMP responded to several reports of a suspected impaired driver on Saturday evening.

At approximately 8:15 p.m. on July 25, RCMP officers, along with local volunteer firefighters, responded to a report of a possible impaired driver and located the suspect vehicle off the road on Route 410.

Police say the driver had fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. A bag containing alcohol was found near the vehicle.

Witnesses provided a description of the driver, who was quickly located walking along the road nearby. Officers observed signs of intoxication and took the man into custody.

The 29-year-old was transported to the RCMP detachment, where he was assessed by Emergency Medical Services personnel. No injuries were reported.

As part of the impaired driving investigation, officers demanded a breath sample from the man, but he allegedly refused to comply.

During the investigation, police also received additional reports indicating that before the vehicle left the roadway, the driver had struck an unoccupied parked vehicle and fled the scene.

The man was later released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in September 2026. He is charged with impaired operation, failure or refusal to comply with a breath demand, and mischief under $5,000 in connection with the earlier hit-and-run collision.

RCMP remind the public that refusing to comply with a lawful breath demand during an impaired driving investigation is a criminal offence and, if convicted, carries the same penalties as an impaired driving conviction.

Police continue to encourage anyone who suspects a driver is impaired to call 911 immediately, noting that impaired driving places everyone on the road at risk of serious injury or death.