THUNDER BAY – Police have arrested a 43-year-old woman on drug-impaired driving charges after the woman was involved in two consecutive Balmoral Street collisions, the second sending one to hospital with minor injuries.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Friday, an on-duty police officer observed a GMC pick-up truck travelling north bound on James Street at a high rate of speed. The vehicle travelled through a red light at the intersection of Redwood Avenue and James Street, nearly colliding with a crossing guard who was within the intersection, according to a police media release issued Friday afternoon.
The officer pursued the vehicle using emergency sirens, but the driver failed to stop proceeding northbound on James Street at a high rate of speed.
Because the rate of speed was a public safety concern, the officer discontinued the pursuit.
Minutes later, the pick-up truck was involved in a minor collision at the intersection of Balmoral Street and Hewitson Drive with a white SUV. The pickup truck fled the scene and continued driving northbound on Balmoral Street.
The pickup truck then collided with a blue Honda Civic within the intersection of Balmoral Street and Central Avenue before coming to rest in the ditch directly in front of TBPS headquarters. The driver of the Honda Civic was sent to hospital and is being treated for minor injuries.
The 43-year-old Thunder Bay woman is facing charges of impaired driving by drug, dangerous driving, flight from police, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
The intersection of Balmoral Street and Central Avenue remains closed as the investigation continues.
Police are asking motorists to avoid the intersection and find alternate routes.
