Driver three and half times legal limit charged after crash in Elliot Lake: OPP

Ontario Provincial Police responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash on Highway 108 in Elliot Lake on Feb. 27, 2026. OPP said responding officers arrived to find a small green wagon in the snow after the driver failed to navigate a corner and crashed into the ditch. Police said numerous bottles of alcohol were observed in the vehicle and scattered inside and outside the wagon. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A 51-year-old Sudbury man faces multiple charges after provincial police say he drove his vehicle off the road and into a ditch while impaired at more than three times the legal limit Friday afternoon.

The single-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 108, just before Nordic Mine Road, around 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 27.

Ontario Provincial Police say the driver was heading northbound toward the Elliot Lake ski hill on a clear, sunny afternoon when he failed to navigate a corner, jumped a guardrail and crashed into the ditch.

Officers responding to a call of an impaired driver arrived to find a small green wagon in the snow.

“The driver emanated a strong odour of alcoholic beverage and numerous bottles of alcohol were observed in the vehicle and scattered inside and outside the wagon in the snow where the vehicle came to rest,” OPP said in a news release.

The driver was taken into custody. Police said subsequent testing revealed he was three and a half times the legal blood-alcohol limit.

“The vehicle was also later towed and impounded,” police said.

The accused has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle along with two impaired driving offences – including having a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Elliot Lake on April 9.

Public reminder against impaired driving

The police service used the incident to emphasize the dangers of impaired driving and to asked for public’s assistance in keeping roads safe.

“OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive,” said police.

“Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police.”

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