Half empty bottle of wine found in driver’s purse

KICK-OFF TO COUNTERATTACK

KELOWNA – The media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP detachment had just wrapped up news conference on this year’s Counterattack campaign Friday afternoon when he was almost hit by someone running a red light.

Cst. Kris Clark was driving away from the media event on Leon Avenue downtown and was about to turn onto Ellis Street when the driver of a southbound Subaru didn’t stop for the red light.

Clark pulled the driver over into a parking lot and called for backup. He needed someone to bring him a ticket.

While Clark was busy with the driver of the Subaru, a member of Central Okanagan Traffic services stopped PT Cruiser with an expired license plate, right into the same parking lot.

The woman behind the wheel appeared to be drunk but wouldn’t let the police take a breath sample.

She was arrested and police found a half empty bottle of wine stuffed into her purse. It turns out she wasn’t supposed to be driving. She had lost her driver’s license for impaired driving.

“The consequences of impaired driving can significantly impact your life and the lives of others,” Clark said. “You can be charged criminally and the ripple effect on you, your family and friends could be huge.”

“We encourage everyone to get a safe ride home and designate a sober driver.”

A Kelowna woman, 44, faces charges for refusing to provide a breath sample and driving while prohibited. She was written up for not having insurance. That ticket carries a $598 fine. Her PT Cruiser was also impounded. She’ll go before a judge on January 19, 2013.

The Armstrong woman, 59, who ran the red light got a ticket with a fine of $167.

“Impaired driving can happen at any time, day or night, and we will be ramping up our road checks over the holiday season,” Clark said.

“If you plan on drinking, please do not drive.”

To contact the reporter for this story, email halexander@infotelnews.ca or call 250-491-0331.