An erratic driver on Highway 2 who eventually ditched his Toyota Runner just south of Bowden July 25 was to appear in Didsbury court yesterday on drug, impaired driving, and a variety of traffic charges.
Olds RCMP received three separate calls last Wednesday about a possible impaired driver in the southbound lanes of Highway 2.
“That's all within a period of 11 minutes,” said Cpl. Troy Byrt, Olds RCMP detachment commander.
The vehicle was reported to be all over the road. At one point it was reported to have been driven in two lanes of traffic at speeds estimated at 150 kilometres an hour, and eventually stopping in a ditch three kilometres south of Bowden after the driver lost control of it.
“During the initial investigation, signs of impairment were detected. So the driver was arrested and through our investigation some drugs were located,” said Byrt.
Initially, some baggies of cannabis resin, OxyContin, and a bottle of steroids were seized.
When the driver of the vehicle was searched again at the Olds RCMP detachment, more drugs were found.
Byrt said 12 grams of cocaine and 19 grams of cannabis resin in total was seized.
Martin Talbot, a 21-year-old Red Deer man, faces several charges in relation to the incident including impaired operation of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
He has also been charged with three counts of unlawfully possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of a controlled substance and three charges under the Traffic Act.
“Nobody on Highway 2 was injured as a result of this incident,” said Byrt.
