A woman spotted slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle in a Barrie parking lot has been charged with impaired driving and obstructing police.
Authorities say they were contacted by County of Simcoe paramedics shortly after 6:30 on Wednesday evening after they responded to a report of a car running in a north Bayfield Street parking lot with a female driver that was slumped over the steering wheel. Concerned citizens tried to wake her up, but when they couldn't, they called for assistance.
"When paramedics arrived on scene, they were able to arouse the driver, but she ran from the car. Upon arrival of Barrie Police, and having been appraised of the situation, responding officers began to search for the driver. A few minutes later, the 22-year-old female driver from Mactier, was observed crossing Bayfield Street where she was arrested by police just north of the Georgian Mall for operation while impaired and obstruct peace officer," stated police in a news release on Thursday.
The woman was taken to Barrie Police Headquarters and a beathalyzer technician confirmed that she was impaired by alcohol, police added.
Her vehicle was impounded for seven days, and her driver's licence was suspended for 90 days.
The woman has a court date later this month.