Northern Ont. woman charged with impaired driving after Highway 11 crash

Efforts to reduce impaired driving in the northeast seem to be working in some communities – provincial police say stats are still high.

A 29-year-old woman faces impaired driving charges following an early morning collision in Atikokan, Ont., Ontario Provincial Police say.

On May 16 at about 4 a.m., officers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 11 near Flanders Road after the driver called to report the incident.

The driver was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“The responding officers observed signs of impairment, and an OPP Drug Recognition Expert was brought in to conduct an evaluation,” police said in a news release.

“The evaluation determined that the driver was not able to operate the vehicle safely due to drug consumption.”

As a result, the woman, a local resident, was criminally charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, as well as impaired operation – for both alcohol and drugs.

Beyond the charges

In addition to the charges, her licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle involved was impounded for seven days.

Police reminded the public that under provincial law, vehicle impoundments for impaired driving are mandatory in most cases.

“If you loan your vehicle to someone caught driving impaired, you will be on the hook for the costs connected to that impound,” OPP said, noting some impounds can last up to 45 days if the driver is suspended.

“Be a responsible owner,” authorities said.

“Verify the driver is licensed and never loan your vehicle to someone you can’t trust to drive sober.”

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on June 26.