Kelowna RCMP arrest passed out driver in store parking lot

KELOWNA – A Kelowna man is facing impaired driving charges after he was found slumped over the wheel of his vehicle in a convenience store parking lot yesterday afternoon.

A caller alerted the police at about 4:14 p.m., April 28, about a driver who had pulled into the Mac's store parking lot at Richter Street and Glenwood Avenue and appeared to have fallen asleep behind the wheel, according to a RCMP media release.

Police say officers had a hard time waking up the man who appeared to be “under the influence of an intoxicating substance.” Officers also spotted some illegal drugs in the vehicle.

He was taken to the detachment where a Drug Influence Evaluation was conducted.

A 36-year-old Kelowna man has been released from custody and will appear in court on Sept. 29 to face charges of impaired driving and drug possession.

“We want to thank the caller who notified the police and stayed on scene until the member arrived,” RCMP Cpl. Tania Carroll says in the release. “Had the caller not stayed, the driver could have woken up and began driving again, putting the public and himself at greater risk.”

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