On December 21, 2008 around 7:00 p.m., Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a vehicle on fire on 4th St SE at Saskatchewan Ave.
It was reported that a male was still inside the vehicle. A grater operator saw the vehicle on fire and attempted to put out the flames by dumping snow on the vehicle. A second motorist stopped and pulled the driver, a 30-year-old man from Winnipeg, out of the vehicle. When the RCMP arrived, Portage Emergency Services were already on scene and the fire had been extinguished.
Witnesses identified the driver of the vehicle who had left the scene. Police located and apprehended the driver a few blocks away. The driver was arrested for impaired operation of a vehicle, and brought back to the detachment for further investigation.
No injuries were reported, and no other damage other than to the vehicle was reported as well. The driver was released for a court date in February to face pending criminal and provincial charges.
Cst. Stephen Senuita
Portage la Prairie RCMP
Tel: 204-857-4445
