News release

Yellowknife RCMP lay drug charges after truck crashes into residence

February 2, 2026 - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
From: Northwest Territories RCMP

Content

On January 31st at approximately 3:52 p.m. Yellowknife RCMP received a report that a pickup truck had crashed into a house on Deweerdt Drive. Officers responded, along with the Yellowknife Fire Division.

Investigation revealed that the vehicle had nearly struck a pedestrian then passed through an intersection before coming to rest in the garage of a nearby residence. Attending officers formed grounds to believe the driver and lone occupant was impaired, and he was subsequently taken into custody. The vehicle was seized as part of the investigation.

Police subsequently located quantities of suspected cocaine and cash in the vehicle, and additional cocaine on the suspect’s person. In total, approximately 62 grams of suspected cocaine and $9000 cash were seized. He was taken to hospital where he received treatment for minor injuries and provided blood samples pursuant to the impaired driving investigation.

No bystanders or other persons were injured.

24-year-old Tyson Zale of Saskatchewan, who was already on probation at the time of his arrest, was charged with:

• Impaired operation of a conveyance, contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Dangerous operation of a conveyance, contrary to section 320.13(1) of the Criminal Code
• Resisting a peace officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code
• (2 counts) Mischief over $5000, contrary to section 430(3) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
• Failure to comply with a probation order, contrary to section 733.1(1)
• Operation of a vehicle without a valid driver’s licence, contrary to section 66(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act

He was held for a bail hearing and subsequently remanded into custody.

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