OPP lays 5 impaired-related charges after series of weekend incidents

Flashing blue and red lights from a police cruiser are seen behind the Ontario Provincial Police crest with text indicating the North Bay detachment's involvement. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

Ontario Provincial Police say five drivers face impaired driving-related charges after a series of incidents across the North Bay area from June 12 to 14.

“Impaired driving remains a serious threat on our roads,” said OPP Const. Kyler Brouwer in a social media post summarizing the incidents.

“Whether caused by alcohol or drugs, impairment affects judgment and reaction time, putting everyone at risk.”

The charges over the weekend stemmed from incidents in Bonfield, Powassan, Mattawa, and Beaucage Township, involving a single-vehicle collision, traffic complaints, a driver failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and proactive patrols.

Collision in Bonfield

A 25-year-old woman from Sudbury is facing impaired driving charges following an early morning single-vehicle collision in Bonfield.

At about 6 p.m. on June 12, OPP responded to a report of a vehicle in the ditch on Trunk Road.

Police said officers located the driver and observed signs consistent with alcohol impairment.

“The individual was arrested and transported to the North Bay OPP detachment for further testing,” said OPP in a news release.

As a result of the investigation, the driver has been charged with two impaired driving offences – including operation with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Traffic complaint west of Powassan

Later that evening, at approximately 10:45 p.m., OPP said officers responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver on Highway 534 in the Township of Restoule.

“Officers located the vehicle travelling on Highway 534 and conducted a traffic stop in Powassan,” police said.

During the investigation, OPP said officers observed signs consistent with alcohol impairment. As a result, the driver, a 41-year-old man from Dunnville, was arrested and transported to the local OPP detachment for further testing.

“A search of the vehicle incident to arrest also resulted in the seizure of an open container of alcohol,” police said.

The man has been charged with driving while under suspension and driving with liquor readily available along with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80.

Driver fails to yield to emergency vehicle

At about 12:15 p.m. the next day, June 13, OPP members were responding to a collision on Highway 17 with emergency lights on and sirens activated when officers said a vehicle failed to move to the right for the approaching police cruiser.

Shortly afterward, OPP said officers received a traffic complaint involving a vehicle with a matching licence plate. OPP said the vehicle was later located in a commercial parking lot off Highway 17 in Beaucage Township.

“During the investigation, officers observed signs of alcohol impairment and demanded a breath sample using an approved screening device,” said police.

“The driver refused and was placed under arrest.”

As a result, the 31-year-old man from Stittsville was charged with failure or refusal to comply with a demand, failing to stop on the right for an emergency vehicle, driving a motor vehicle without a permit and failing to have his insurance card.

Scooter stop in Mattawa

Then, at about 3:45 p.m. on June 14, OPP said another impaired incident was observed by officers in Mattawa.

“OPP observed an individual operating a scooter in the oncoming lane on John Street while holding an open alcoholic beverage,” police said.

Police said a traffic stop was initiated and officers observed signs consistent with alcohol impairment.

The scooter operator, a 55-year-old woman from Papineau-Cameron, was arrested and charged with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80.

Abrupt movements on Highway 17

Later that day, at approximately 5:30 p.m., police said OPP officers patrolling Highway 17 observed a westbound vehicle making abrupt movements, and they conducted a traffic stop in a commercial lot off the highway.

During the investigation, OPP said police observed signs consistent with alcohol impairment.

“The driver was arrested and transported to the North Bay Police Service headquarters for further testing,” police said.

She was also charged with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80.

Additional penalties, court appearances

Under provincial law, all motorists charged with refusing to comply with a demand face the same immediate sanctions as those charged with impaired driving.

As a result, in addition to the charges, all five accused had their driver’s licences suspended for 90 days and their vehicles impounded for seven days.

All the accused were released and scheduled for court appearances on either July 21 or Aug. 6 in North Bay.

Safety reminder from OPP

Const. Brouwer used the incident to remind drivers to have a plan, never drive impaired and to report other impaired drivers.

“Plan ahead: choose a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or make other arrangements,” he wrote in the social media post.

“If you suspect an impaired driver, call 911.”