A police officer was choked by a suspect after trying to stop an erratic driver in Sylvan Lake.
The incident occurred at 11 p.m. Friday. According to a police report, a vehicle was spotted swerving to avoid hitting parked cars in the lake-side community. The vehicle nearly struck, head on, two police cars operated by Sylvan Lake RCMP officers.
Both police cruisers activated their lights and sirens, and turned around to pull over the swerving motorist.
The suspect crashed his motor vehicle into a power pole, shearing it off.
He then struck cement barriers at a gas station before fleeing the vehicle on foot, with the two officers in pursuit. When the RCMP officers caught up with the suspect, a struggle ensued.
One of the officers was choked before the second officer managed to assist him and make an arrest.
While the suspect did not require medical treatment, the officer that was choked was treated by ambulance workers at the scene.
He was taken to Red Deer hospital, later released, and is expected to make a full recovery.
Meanwhile, Darrel James Jamieson, 36, of Rocky Mountain House, was arrested and charged with numerous offences, including assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, and dangerous and impaired driving.
He is to appear in Red Deer provincial court on March 23.