Woman arrested after driving into North Battleford parade with bong

A woman was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly driving past barricades and interrupting a parade in North Battleford while impaired and carrying a bong in her vehicle.

According to the RCMP, officers in a marked police cruiser were leading a parade to mark Northwest Territorial Days in North Battleford on Tuesday. As the parade was heading down 101st Street, a vehicle breached the barricades blocking off the street for the parade and ended up “nose-to-nose with the police vehicle.”

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According to the Mounties, officers checked out the driver and spotted signs of impairment, along with the smell of cannabis. She was placed under arrest, and police quickly located what may have been the source of the smell.

“Officers located and seized a bong from inside the vehicle,” the RCMP said.

Police said the woman has been charged with drug-impaired driving, and also got a ticket for driving without a valid licence.

Sgt. Chris Stephens, with the Battlefords RCMP, said the situation had the potential to be very dangerous.

“It’s very lucky that when she breached the barricade and encountered police officers, she didn’t strike any civilian vehicles or floats, parade participants, or spook the horses that were right behind our police vehicle,” Stephens said in a statement.

“I’m happy to report, however, that after the arrest, the parade was able to continue on as planned, and was enjoyed by hundreds of spectators.”

The driver is scheduled to appear in court in November.