Busy weekend for Sherbrooke police

Anumber of interventions took place over the weekend involving the Sherbrooke Police Service, including two incidents involving driving under the influence of alcohol.

On Saturday around midnight, police officers were driving on Galt Street West near the police station. Suddenly, they noticed a vehicle that was driving against the traffic flow, and it deviated from its trajectory and ended up in front of the patrol vehicle. The officers had to maneuver to avoid a collision. The vehicle was stopped a short distance away. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The woman took a breathalyzer and tested more than double the legal limit. She had her license suspended for 90 days and her vehicle seized for 30 days.

Hit and run

At approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday, a citizen on Claire-jolicoeur Street called the police department to report that his vehicle had just been hit and that the other vehicle had fled the scene. Once on the scene, the police noticed that following the impact, liquids were escaping from the suspect vehicle. Following the trail left on the roadway, the police officers quickly intercepted the vehicle. The driver, in his 30s, was taken to the police station for a breathalyzer test. After blowing three times the legal limit, he was charged with hit and run and driving while impaired by alcohol. In addition, his driver’s license was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle seized for 30 days.

Suspicious fire

Early Sunday, around 12:54 a.m., police received a call to assist firefighters at 1129 12th Avenue North. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control. The fire would have started in the corridor of the apartment block. The fire is considered suspicious, and an investigation has been opened to establish the precise circumstances of the event.

Rescue, person in distress

On Sunday, May 2, at approximately 2 p.m., police received regarding a citizen in distress in the water near Aylmer Bridge. Several patrol vehicles converged in the area to locate the individual. Two police officers quickly located the victim in the Saint-françois River. They noticed a second citizen adrift, trying to rescue the individual in distress.

Not stopped by the current and the freezing temperature of the water, a police officer removed some equipment and swam out to rescue the victim and the good samaritan. A colleague was able to assist by staying on shore and using the life preserver. They were able to rescue the two people and bring them back to shore. Once out of the water, the police officer, supported by several colleagues and paramedics, began resuscitation maneuvers.

Despite all the efforts of the citizen and the police officers, the victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Good Samaritan was transported for minor injuries.

The SPS would like to remind people who are going through a difficult time that they can use the JEVI 1-866-APELLE service (277-3553).