Winnipeg police officers who came across a stolen truck were in for a surprise when the woman sleeping behind the wheel awoke and threw the vehicle into reverse.
Police say the truck was left running outside a convenience store early Friday morning in the 700 block of Corydon Avenue.
Officers found the ride in the area of Keewatin Street and Pacific Avenue West just after midnight Saturday. The female driver appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel as police approached her.
They woke the driver up to see whether she needed medical assistance or was impaired. The woman quickly reversed the truck, striking a parked vehicle behind it. She then drove forward and narrowly missed hitting an officer before crashing into a police cruiser that was parked in front of it. The vehicle eventually stopped after it hit a tree.
The woman fled on foot, but was arrested after a short chase. She wasn’t injured.
Police found a machete, knife and hatchet inside the vehicle. The suspect was found to be in possession of 1.1 grams of methamphetamine worth approximately $170.
Courtney Marie Friesen of Winnipeg, 28, has been charged with numerous offences and remains in custody.
