The Drumheller RCMP have been busy with three serious impaired driving investigations, including one where an 18-year-old driver crashed through the water main construction site on Highway 10 near Walmart.
At 3:27 am on February 18, Drumheller RCMP members received a report of a single-vehicle collision, with no injuries, in a construction zone located on Hwy 10.
RCMP members attended the scene and found a white 2006 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck in a deep trench located in the construction zone. The investigation found that the vehicle had driven past barricades, through a security fence and crashed into the trench striking a water pipeline. The vehicle was occupied by 2 persons at the time of the collision.
The driver of the vehicle, an 18-year-old male and probationary driver (GDL) from Drumheller was subject to Roadside Alcohol Testing and it was found that his blood alcohol limit exceeded the legal limit. As a result, the driver was subject to Immediate Roadside Sanctions.
Representatives from the construction company and the Town of Drumheller attended the scene to assess damages to the site and eventually the damaged vehicle was removed from the trench via a tow truck and seized.
In a separate incident, at approximately 1:20 am also on February 18th, RCMP members were on patrol and observed a white SUV, later confirmed to be a white 2015 Jeep Compass, driving at a high rate of speed near the intersection of Hwy 10 and Hwy 56 in Drumheller.
A member eventually caught up to the vehicle on Grove Avenue and attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to stop and quickly proceeded to a nearby residence. Once at the residence, the driver fled on foot inside the residence. An officer pursued the suspect and took him into custody after a minor altercation with another occupant of the home.
The driver, a 23-year-old male and probationary driver (GDL) was subject to Roadside Alcohol Testing and it was found that his blood alcohol limit exceeded the legal limit. As a result, the driver was subject to Immediate Roadside Sanctions and the vehicle was seized. The driver was also issued a $120.00 violation ticket under Section 90.25(1) of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act for possession of Cannabis in an open package and within reach of a vehicle occupant.
Also a separate incident, at approximately 3:45 pm on February 9th, 2023, an RCMP member on patrol observed a grey 2007 Chevrolet Equinox SUV fail to stop at a stop sign on Railway Avenue W and 2nd Street SW in Drumheller. The member further observed the driver of the vehicle throw litter out the window and drive erratically including cutting off another vehicle.
A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was subject to roadside alcohol testing and failed. The investigation also found that the driver had a suspended driver’s licence and had a history of impaired driving charges and convictions. The driver was arrested and breath test results later confirmed the driver's blood alcohol limit was over twice the legal limit. As a result, the driver was subject to Immediate Roadside Sanctions and was criminally charged. Charges included:
Impaired Operation of a Conveyance Contrary to Section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
Operate a Conveyance while over 80 mg/% of alcohol in 100 ml of blood contrary to Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance contrary to Section 320.13(1) of the Criminal Code;
Drive Unauthorized contrary to Section 94(2) of the Traffic Safety Act;
Fail to Stop at Stop Sign contrary to Section 37(a) of the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations;
Improper Disposal of Waste on Hwy contrary to Section 179(1) of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

The driver, a 63-year-old male from Craigmyle, Alberta, was released from custody on an Appearance Notice and is scheduled to appear in Drumheller Provincial Court on April 14th, 2023.

Staff Sergeant Robert Harms of Drumheller RCMP stated “It was a miracle that nobody was injured in these incidents. Each incident is a prime example of how impairment affects the judgement and behaviour of a driver and ultimately puts the public at risk. It is disappointing to see that impaired driving continues in our communities; with that said, the Drumheller RCMP will continue to seek out impaired drivers and hold them accountable at the highest levels”.

If you have any information regarding criminal activity in your neighbourhood, including impaired drivers, please call 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Nate Horner says a new tax credit for agri-processing will build on the competitive advantages of the province, attracting new investment.
Last week the province announced that Budget 2023 will include a 12 per cent non-refundable tax credit to attract investment. This is for corporations that make an investment of more than $10 million in value-added agri-processing in Alberta.
“The program will build on our already substantial competitive advantages, we have a skilled workforce and some of the lowest combined tax rates in all of North America, and hopefully, we’ll attract even more investment to this already growing sector,” said Horner. “This will benefit our primary agricultural producers, it will expand market opportunities, this will strengthen local markets and will add stability to food supply chains by increasing capacity in our own province.”
There has been substantial growth in the sector over the last few years, Horner explains. They have shattered their projections, and are planning on setting even loftier goals.
“We set what we thought was a pretty bold target, and aggressive target in 2019 to attract $1.4 billion in this space and create 2,000 jobs. We actually met this goal a year early… and we hit the job target two years early,” said Horner.
“We are seeing there is an ability to take the investment trend line and grow it almost exponentially.”
He also notes the province, through legislation, has given municipalities tools to be investment ready.
“We did change some legislation to empower municipalities, which can get creative and offer very flexible tax regimes for new business, and you have seen many do that. None more successful, I would suggest, than Wheatland County with their CGC Wallboard investment and landing De Havilland.”
He says there are other programs to help investment, even on a smaller scale, including the Emerging Opportunities through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and the Investment and Growth fund under the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development.
“We hope this will send a clear message to investors that Alberta is open for business, and this is a sector we really want to see reach its full potential,” said Horner.