An impaired driver was arrested last week in Happy-Valley Goose Bay, after his pick up truck collided with a smaller car in the liquor store parking lot. According to an RCMP press release, the 25-year-old male was over twice the legal limit of alcohol in his body.
The collision completely demolished the driver side of the car, and pinned the driver inside. An RCMP officer, who arrived at the scene, was able to pry the door open to let the driver out.
The driver of the car was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. RCMP Corporal Rick Mills says that it's very fortunate the driver wasn't seriously hurt, given the nature of the collision.
"Injuries are certainly a common occurrence (with this kind of collision)," says Mills. "Fortunately, that wasn't the case this time."
Impaired driving increased significantly over the past few years in the Labrador District, according to the RCMP. This latest impaired driving charge is at least the 12th so far in 2013, and the year isn't even two months old. The collision in the parking lot is the first time this year that an impaired driver has been involved in a motor vehicle accident.
"Because of the amount of drinking and driving in the Labrador district, it was only a matter of time before (an accident) like this would occur," Mills told the Labradorian.
The 25-year-old male is due in court sometime in April to face charges of impaired driving and impaired driving over 80 mg.
