Impaired driver had shotgun within his reach, Sudbury police say

Police in Greater Sudbury charged seven people with impaired-related offences over the weekend – six of whom were under 29. Lyndsay Aelick reports.

Impaired drivers kept Sudbury police busy over the weekend, with seven people charged between April 10-12, including a GTA man who had a shotgun and ammunition within reach.

That arrest took place April 12 around 3:20 a.m. when police were alerted about a suspected impaired driver at a gas station in New Sudbury.

“A community member saw an individual who appeared impaired while fueling a vehicle,” police said.

‘Clear signs of impairment’

“Officers located the driver and vehicle and observed clear signs of impairment along with an odour of alcohol. The driver provided a breath sample registering a ‘fail’ reading and was arrested for impaired operation.”

A search of their vehicle uncovered a shotgun near the front passenger seat, within reach of the driver, along with ammunition.

“This discovery significantly increased the level of risk to both responding officers and the public,” police said.

“The driver was transported to police headquarters, where further breath testing revealed blood alcohol concentration readings well above the legal limit.”

GTA man charged

The 25-year-old man from the GTA was charged with impaired driving and unsafe storage of a firearm.

Police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn said many of the arrests were only possible because of information from the public.

“A few of these incidents were related to individuals contacting us with information (about) an alleged impaired driver,” Dunn said.

“And when officers arrived on scene, they were able to determine that the individual was either impaired by drugs or by alcohol. So community support is extremely important.”

The first impaired arrest of the weekend took place at 2:30 p.m. on April 10.

Erratic driver

An officer observed a vehicle being driven erratically on Municipal Road 35,” police said in a news release.

The driver was tested and registered an ‘alert’ reading, meaning their licence was suspended for a week.

On April 11, collisions at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Douglas Street and Dell Street led to roadside screenings.

“In both cases, drivers showed signs of impairment and provided breath samples registering ‘fail’ readings,” police said.

Both drivers were charged with impaired driving, while one was also charged with driving while suspended.

Then at 10:10 p.m., police were called to Azilda to help paramedics “with an intoxicated individual found walking in the roadway.”

Police discovered that an ATV collision had taken place and that the suspect had been driving it while impaired.

“The driver was arrested and charged after providing breath samples well above the legal limit,” police said.

Serious crash on Elm Street

Around 2 a.m. on April 12, police were told that the occupants of a vehicle involved in a serious crash on Elm Street had fled the scene.

“Officers located the driver, and a drug recognition evaluation determined the driver was impaired by drugs,” police said.

“While in custody, the individual attempted to assault officers. The individual was charged with multiple Criminal Code of Canada and Highway Traffic Act offences.”

Around the same time, police investigated a disturbance in Levack, where another driver registered an ‘alert’ reading and had their licence suspended for seven days.

“Every driver charged with impaired operation over 80 or impairment determined by a drug recognition expert received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension, and their vehicle was impounded for seven days, as required by law,” police said.

“These investigations are complex, time-consuming, and often place officers in high-risk situations. Our officers’ ability to safely and thoroughly investigate these incidents reflects our ongoing commitment to road and community safety.”

Kim Hancock, whose son, DJ, was killed by a drunk driver in 2014 in Sudbury, said it’s “disappointing” so many people still drive impaired.

“First things first -- thank you to the Greater Sudbury Police for saving seven people’s lives, potentially (and) probably more,” Hancock said.

“Those numbers are so disappointing at this point. You know, there are so many other options as far as impaired driving goes. I don’t think people fully understand their decisions.”

Residents are urged to call 911 if they see someone they suspect is impaired while driving.