Portage la Prairie RCMP stop alleged impaired driver on Highway 13

Community Safety Alert for Manitoba Drivers

On the afternoon of April 15, 2026, officers from Portage la Prairie RCMP stopped a truck after reports of dangerous driving in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. A 65-year-old man from Oakville has been charged in connection with alleged impaired driving following this traffic stop.

The incident unfolded just after 4:30 p.m. as a truck travelled south on Highway 13 toward Oakville. An off-duty RCMP member witnessed the vehicle swerving within its lane, repeatedly drifting over the centre line, speeding above the limit, and even leaving the roadway into the ditch before returning to the highway. An on-duty officer later located the truck near Road 61 North and conducted a traffic stop, which resulted in impaired driving charges.

Official RCMP Incident Details

According to the official information released by the RCMP, the sequence of events and findings are as follows:

• On April 15, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., an off-duty RCMP officer observed a truck heading south on Highway 13 in the RM of Portage la Prairie toward Oakville.
• The off-duty officer reported that the truck was:
  • Veering side to side within its lane,
  • Crossing the centre line multiple times,
  • Travelling above the posted speed limit, and
  • At one point, leaving the roadway into the grassy ditch before returning to the road.
• An on-duty RCMP officer was notified of the dangerous driving and located the suspect vehicle a short time later.
• The truck was stopped by police near Road 61 North in the RM of Portage la Prairie.
• The driver, a 65-year-old male from Oakville, was arrested at the roadside.
• Subsequent testing resulted in blood-alcohol readings of 0.22% and 0.20%, significantly above the Criminal Code legal limit for drivers in Canada.
• The truck involved in the incident was towed from the scene.
• The 65-year-old Oakville man now faces impaired driving-related charges. He has been released on an appearance notice and is expected to attend court at a later date.

While this incident occurred in Manitoba, it underscores impaired driving risks that affect communities nationwide. For broader perspective on how traffic and impaired driving offences affect other municipalities, residents can review localized data such as the Oakville crime and safety statistics, which highlight trends and risk factors that often mirror those seen in smaller prairie communities.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

At CrimeCanada.ca, we view this impaired driving arrest in the Portage la Prairie area as a serious reminder of how quickly unsafe choices on the road can endanger lives. Alleged behaviours such as weaving across the centre line, speeding, and leaving the roadway into a ditch create high-risk situations for oncoming drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and nearby residents.

Our mission is to support safer communities across Manitoba by ensuring the public understands the dangers linked to alcohol and drug impairment behind the wheel. If you see a vehicle driving in a way that suggests the driver may be impaired—such as frequent lane drifting, inconsistent speeds, or sudden departures onto the shoulder—call local police or 911 when it is safe to do so. Avoid confronting the driver yourself, try to note the vehicle’s description and direction of travel, and keep a safe distance. Community vigilance and prompt reporting help police intervene before a potential collision occurs.

Impaired driving is preventable. Plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using taxis or rideshare options, or arranging to stay overnight if you have consumed alcohol or drugs. Sharing this type of safety alert with friends and family helps reinforce a culture where driving sober is the only acceptable choice.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the manitoba community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.