A Sault man is facing multiple charges – including impaired driving – after an SUV (sport utility vehicle) was spotted speeding the wrong way on Highway 17 without its lights on in Garden River First Nation last week.
The Sault Ste. Marie detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Batchewana First Nation Police and the Anishinabek Police Services (APS) all responded to reports of a silver SUV driving east in the westbound lanes of the highway around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
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Before OPP officers arrived, APS and Batchewana First Nation Police had located the vehicle parked near Noonday Road with the driver still behind the wheel.
“Officers observed the SUV to have extensive damage to the left side, a flat tire and damaged headlights and taillights,” said police.
“While speaking to the driver police determined alcohol had been consumed and a subsequent arrest was made.”
Police officials said the 32-year-old was then transported to the Sault OPP detachment for further testing but once there “the accused refused to provide a breath sample.”
As a result of the investigation, the accused was charged with impaired operation of a vehicle, failure or refusal to comply with a demand and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.
In addition to the charges the accused received a 90-day driver's license suspension and the vehicle involved was impounded for seven days.
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The driver was released and is scheduled to appear in court to answer to the charges on June 5.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
“If you suspect an impaired driver, don't hesitate ‘make the call’ and call 911,” said police.
