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Nelson Police respond to string of alcohol-related complaints

Incidents include drinking and driving offences, a rowdy bar conflict and an unconscious male in a local pizzeria.
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Incidents include multiple drinking and driving offences

The Nelson Police Department is urging residents to rethink their alcohol consumption strategies after a string of incidents that include multiple drinking and driving offences, rowdy bar conflicts and one unconscious resident passing out on the floor of a local pizzeria.

ROADSIDE PROHIBITIONS

Over the past weekend the NPD issued two roadside prohibitions, resulting in the drivers receiving 90-day driving prohibitions. Both vehicles were impounded for 30 days.

“On average 86 people die in car crashes ever year in BC and approximately 27 per cent of car crash fatalities are related to impaired driving,” said acting sergeant Brian Weber in a press release.

“These incidents took place on Friday and Saturday evenings between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Fortunately, your Nelson Police Department was able to remove both of these drivers from our roads before crashes occurred.”

In another incident, the driver of a small sedan came to the attention of a Nelson police officer when the vehicle she was operating failed to stop at a marked stop sign.

“The officer activated the emergency lights on the police truck, signalling the driver to stop. The driver failed to notice the flashing red and blue lights. When the officers stood at the driver’s window the driver again failed to notice the uniformed officer.”

After a short conversation the officer made a number of observations that led him to believe the driver had been consuming alcohol prior to and during driving. He asked for a breath sample, but the driver refused to provide one, “exclaiming to the officer that she was stoned, not drunk.”

A second opportunity was given to provide a breath sample, and the driver again refused. The result was a 90-day driving prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impound.

DRUNK BAR PATRONS

Two Creston men were ejected from a local establishment after multiple phone calls had been received by the Nelson Police about their rowdy intoxication.

“Once the males had been ejected from both drinking establishments they departed in a distinct antique vehicle. In spite of a quick response the officers on duty were not able to immediately locate the males and their unique vehicle,” said Weber.

“The visitors would have likely made good their departure had they not made another questionable decision. They stopped to purchase more alcohol!”

A police officer determined to find the drunk driver eventually located the suspect vehicle at a liquor outlet. He surveilled the vehicle until the driver returned. After a short investigation the officer acquired two breath samples.

The driver was served a 90-day driving prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impound.

UNCONSCIOUS IN A PIZZERIA

On Friday morning an unconscious man refused to leave a local pizzeria after passing out on the establishment’s floor.

“The male had at first asked the staff to use the washroom as he required privacy to swallow a pill. He was granted access to the washroom. The man came out of the washroom after a few minutes, only to become more odd,” said Weber.

“After a while the staff noticed the male sprawled out on the floor of the establishment. He was asked to leave, but refused. The man was cursing and mumbling while on the floor.”

Prior to police attendance staff had helped the man to his feet and escorted him outside. When police engaged him in conversation they determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself.

“Unfortunately, prior to securing the male into a police vehicle he attempted to injure the officers. The male was quickly secured in the police vehicle and transported to jail, where he was allowed to become sober in a safe environment.”

The man in question has a criminal record with over 35 convictions across Canada. He is currently wanted in two eastern Canadian provinces.

The incident is still under investigation and the male be facing new criminal charges.