Driver charged with refusing to comply with on Highway 17

On September 3, 2025, in Sables-Spanish Rivers Township, Ont., Ontario Provincial Police impounded the van a Guelph driver was driving after he refused to comply with a demand. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A 39-year-old man from Guelph is facing charges after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a report of a possible impaired driver on Highway 17 last week.

The incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 3, after OPP received the traffic complaint in Sables-Spanish Rivers Township.

Vehicle located on shoulder

“Police located the vehicle parked on the shoulder of Highway 17 near Massey,” police said in a news release.

Investigating officers made a demand for a breath sample from the driver. Province police said the man failed to comply with that demand and was subsequently taken into custody.

Charges and penalties laid

The driver has been charged with refusal to comply with a demand and having care or control of a motor vehicle with liquor readily available.

In addition to the criminal charges, under provincial law, all motorists charged with refusing to comply with a demand face the same immediate sanctions as those charged with impaired driving.

“The driver is facing a 90-day licence suspension, a seven-day vehicle impound and a criminal court date,” said OPP Const. Berkley Parisien, in a social media post detailing the incident.

The accused is scheduled to answer to the charges in an Espanola courtroom on Oct. 6