A motorist who fled from police, and later found to have a blood alcohol concentration more than triple the legal limit, was arrested Friday afternoon.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers were in the 900 block of Fort William Road just before 12:50 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 following reports of a suspected impaired driver in the area. Police learned the motorist had been driving erratically and at a high rate of speed.
An officer with the TBPS Traffic Unit spotted the suspected motorist in a red SUV on the Harbour Expressway near Memorial Avenue. The officer, driving behind the motorist, attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver ignored the officer and fled.
Due to public safety concerns, the officer did not continue their pursuit.
As a result of further investigation, police learned of the motorist’s likely destination. This led police to locate the motorist and vehicle in a parking lot in the 300 block of Hector Dougall Way.
Police approached the driver and observed several signs of impairment.
She was arrested without further incident and transported to the TBPS headquarters at 1200 Balmoral Street.
Further analysis of the driver’s breath revealed her blood alcohol concentration to be 291 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millimetres of blood.
Ashley Breanne BELL, 28, of Thunder Bay, is charged with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from Peace Officer, Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired, Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired Blood Alcohol Concentration.
She was later released with conditions and a future appearance date.