Winkler Police recently apprehended a suspect whose flight from police put pedestrians, the suspect, and officers at risk.

In the early morning hours of April 29, Winkler Police observed a vehicle leaving the Quality Inn in a dangerous manner.

Constable Jason Penner explains the area is busy with pedestrian traffic at 2:00 a.m.

(File Photo) Police were led on a high-speed chase in downtown Winkler April 29Officers followed the vehicle which proceeded at a high rate of speed North on Main St to Memorial Drive before turning South on Main St. between 120 km/h and 150 km/h.

The vehicle sideswiped another vehicle in an attempt to evade police.

Police followed in pursuit before the suspect collided with the median and slowed down.

The driver, who was determined to be intoxicated, was ordered out of the vehicle and arrested.

"It was really a dangerous situation to the public and our officers," Penner says.

The adult male is in custody facing charges of impaired driving, dangerous driving, and flight from police.

Penner explains choosing to pursue a suspect is not a decision made lightly. Officers take into account many factors and assess risks before joining a high-speed pursuit.

"What's paramount in importance to us is the safety of the public and the person we're pursuing," he says. "It's a split-second decision."

He notes chases can last anywhere from 15 seconds to 15 minutes, "but each can be dangerous in their own way. There's a lot of factors a police officer has to consider when deciding whether or not to pursue."

However, in this instance, he says the suspect was creating a danger to pedestrians and other drivers.