Officers who removed at least a dozen impaired drivers from the road in 2016 were selected to Alexa’s Team, named in memory of four-year-old Alexa Middelaer, killed by an impaired driver in 2008.
Six Nanaimo officers, including constables Wayne Vaughan, Mihai Ilioi and Aaron Anderson, corporals Norm Smith (retired) and Phyllis Nielsen and Sgt. Glen Caston, were selected to the team April 26 at a ceremony held at Glenlyon-Norfold Junior School in Oak Bay. The event recognized the officers’ dedication and commitment in removing impaired drivers from the roads in their respective communities.
“Impaired driving affects all of us,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, in a press release. “Losing a loved one to another’s selfish act of driving while impaired is lasting and devastating. These officers are doing their part to keep their communities safe.”
Anyone who sees a suspected impaired driver is asked to please call 911 immediately and potentially save a life. Callers should provide the licence plate number, location and direction of travel.