Impaired drivers keep northern Ontario police detachment busy

An Ontario Provincial Police image illustrating impaired operation charges. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

A recent string of alleged impaired driving incidents has kept Ontario Provincial Police in the north busy, with the South Porcupine detachment making six arrests in less than three weeks in the region, according to news releases issued on Friday.

Four arrested in 6 days

The first incident occurred on June 6, when OPP responded to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 144 in Hazen Township, north of Gogama, shortly after 5 a.m. Police discovered the vehicle was stolen and arrested a 36-year-old Toronto man. He faces multiple charges, including possession of stolen property, refusal to comply with a demand, impaired operation, and three counts of both driving while prohibited and driving while under suspension. The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Timmins court on July 3.

Three days later, on June 9, authorities responded to a traffic complaint on Highway 11 in Taylor Township. As a result of the subsequent investigation, a 52-year-old man from Calgary, Alta., was charged with two impaired driving offences – including operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80. He was released and is set to appear in court on July 17.

Another impaired driver was arrested on June 11 after police received a traffic complaint on Highway 11 in Clergue Township. Investigators subsequently charged a 34-year-old from Sables-Spanish Rivers Township with refusing a demand, driving while prohibited, and drug possession, as a result of the incident. The vehicle involved was impounded for 45 days, and he is scheduled for a July 24 court date.

The following evening, June 12, the OPP detachment conducted a RIDE check on Highway 101 in German Township, east of Timmins. Following a traffic stop, officers charged another out-of-province motorist with two impaired driving offences – including operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80 – this time a 28-year-old man from Brandon, Man. He was released and will appear in court on July 10.

Following a brief, 6-day, reprieve more impaired drivers were caught by officers

On June 18, a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 655 and Ross Avenue in Timmins led the arrest of one of the drivers. As a result of an investigation following the crash, a 31-year-old Timmins woman was charged with driving while impaired by drugs. She was released and is also due in court on July 10.

The most recent impaired driving arrest that the detachment released details of occurred on June 20 after officers responded to a call about a possible impaired driver on Quinn Crescent in Matheson. As a result of an investigation, a 30-year-old Iroquois Falls man was charged with impaired operation and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80. His court date is set for July 31.

In addition to the charges

Under provincial legislation, all six drivers received 90-day licence suspensions, and their vehicles were impounded for a minimum of seven days at the owner’s expense.

OPP continue to remind the public of the dangers of impaired driving and urge motorists to plan ahead for safe transportation alternatives.