RCMP responds to vehicle crash; driver flees from police in another vehicle

A chaotic scene unfolded Tuesday afternoon after a vehicle crash near Hearts Desire led to a police pursuit and the arrest of two individuals.

RCMP were called to the crash site shortly before 3:30 p.m. on April 15. While officers were en route, they learned the driver involved had fled the scene in a second vehicle.

Police soon spotted the suspect vehicle speeding directly toward their marked cruiser in the oncoming lane. Officers were forced to swerve to avoid a head-on collision as the suspect sped past.

Mounties quickly turned their patrol vehicle around and tracked the fleeing vehicle to a residential driveway in Hearts Content. As officers pulled in and blocked the driveway to prevent escape, the suspect reversed and struck the police vehicle.

A 23-year-old woman behind the wheel was arrested at the scene. Police say she showed signs of drug impairment and now faces charges of impaired operation, flight from police, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. She was transported to the RCMP detachment for further evaluation by a drug recognition expert. The results of that testing will determine if additional charges for drug-impaired driving will be laid. She also remains under investigation for assault with a weapon in connection with the collision involving the police vehicle.

Meanwhile, the initial investigation into the crash at Hearts Desire revealed the other driver — a 26-year-old man — was unlicensed and driving without insurance or vehicle registration. He remains under investigation for multiple Highway Traffic Act violations.

No injuries were reported in the incident. The RCMP say the investigation is ongoing and further charges are expected.