INNISFAIL – Two Red Deer women are facing assault charges on an Innisfail Mountie after the driver of a speeding vehicle was stopped for suspected drunk driving.
RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said in a media release that an Innisfail RCMP officer was conducting patrols near the Innisfail Health Centre on June 3 when he observed a speeding black truck drive through a stop sign.
Savinkoff said a traffic stop was initiated and a subsequent investigation ensued as the driver was suspected of being impaired by alcohol.
He said the driver and passenger were both intoxicated, belligerent and verbally aggressive with the officer.
Savinkoff said the driver was arrested for refusal to provide a breath sample but refused to exit the vehicle.
He said when police attempted to remove the driver, the passenger grabbed the driver to prevent her from being arrested.
“The driver was eventually removed from the vehicle. The passenger exited the vehicle and approached police in a fighting stance and threatened the member’s life,” said Savinkoff in his media release. “The driver physically assaulted the member while he was attempting to bring both suspects under control.”
Savinkoff said the officer and the passenger both sustained injuries during the altercation.
As a result of the police investigation, Desiree Friesen, 24, a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with:
• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• assaulting a peace officer;
• resisting arrest; and
• refusing a breath demand.
Laura Phypers, 37, a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with: assaulting a peace officer; obstructing a peace officer; and uttering threats.
Savinkoff said both suspects were held for judicial interim release hearings and were released by a justice of the peace on a release order to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on June 20.
