Impaired man tries to drive over police officers, Winnipeg

On Friday, January 7th, 2011 at approximately 2:30 a.m. patrolling Uniform Division 11 Members observed a sport utility vehicle (SUV) with two occupants in the vicinity of Cumberland Avenue and Furby Street. Officers conducted a traffic stop on this vehicle in the area of the 600 block of Furby Street, where both officers approached the SUV and spoke with the male driver and the female passenger.

During the traffic stop and without warning, the male driver put the vehicle into motion and accelerated away from officers at a high rate of speed, fleeing the area. Numerous other police units attended and a short time later located the SUV in a parking lot on McMicken Street near Ellice Avenue. Officers observed the SUV parked facing the cruiser car, with it’s vehicle running lights off. Upon observing a marked cruiser car, the male suspect drove the vehicle directly at the cruiser car, causing officers to make quick manoeuvres to attempt to get out of the path of the oncoming SUV.

The SUV struck the rear of the cruiser car, and again fled the scene.

A short time later patrolling members located the abandoned SUV in the area of Furby Street and William Avenue. The Canine Unit, in cooperation with many Uniform Officers, located and arrested both occupants from the vehicle in the south lane of William Avenue.

One of the officers, a 32 year old male, has sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision with the SUV. The approximate damage to the cruiser car is estimated at over $1000.

A 38 year old male alleged to be responsible, will be facing numerous offences which include;

– Drive Impaired
– Refuse a Drug Recognition Evaluation
– Dangerous Operation- Motor Vehicle
– Flight from Police Officer
– Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon X2
– Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident
– Possess Proceeds of Crime
– Possess Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking- Cocaine

The alleged passenger of the vehicle, a 31 year old female has been charged with Possessing substance for the purpose of trafficking- Cocaine. She has been remanded into custody.

This investigation is still ongoing by Division 11 Uniform Members.