Northern OPP detachment lays 11 impaired driving charges in 2 months

A blurred image of an Ontario Provincial Police vehicle to simulate impairment released on social media by the James Bay detachment. (Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

Officers from the James Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police in Hearst, Kapuskasing, and Cochrane have charged 11 individuals with impaired driving offences in separate incidents throughout May and June.

Multiple incidents reported over two months

Seven drivers were charged for drug impairment, while four faced alcohol-related charges, according to a news release. Additional offences included driving while suspended, drug possession, operating uninsured vehicles, dangerous operation, and failing to stop after an accident.

Drug-related impaired driving cases

The first incident occurred on May 4, when OPP stopped a vehicle on Front Street in Hearst and charged a 39-year-old Constance Lake woman with drug-impaired driving and driving while under suspension.

The following day, May 5, a 46-year-old Kapuskasing man refused a drug recognition evaluation during a traffic stop on Brunelle Road North, leading to additional charges.

On May 17, a 43-year-old Port Colborne woman was charged after a stop on Government Road West in Kapuskasing, where she was also found driving without insurance.

A near head-on collision was reported on May 22 after an off-duty officer spotted a suspected impaired driver on Highway 11 near Opasatika. A 48-year-old Quebec man was charged with drug impairment, possessing unmarked cigarettes, and violating probation.

Later that month, on May 25, a 56-year-old Kapuskasing man was charged following a stop on Brunelle Road North, where he was found driving while suspended and without insurance.

On May 31, two separate drug-impaired driving incidents occurred. A 58-year-old Kapuskasing man was arrested after speeding on McPherson Avenue and found in possession of cocaine and another controlled substance. That same afternoon, a 39-year-old Moonbeam man was charged during a RIDE check on Lefebvre Peninsula.

Alcohol-related impaired driving cases

On June 12, police found a 33-year-old Fort Albany man passed out in a vehicle blocking Genier Road in Cochrane. He was charged with alcohol impairment and driving without a licence or insurance.

A 19-year-old Kapuskasing man was arrested on June 16 after a 911 call reported an impaired ATV driver on Frontenac Crescent.

An 18-year-old Belle Vallee man was charged on June 21 after being found unconscious in a Cochrane drive-thru. Police later located him in a nearby parking lot.

The most severe incident occurred on June 27, when a 62-year-old Kapuskasing man allegedly struck a porch deliberately with his truck on Balsam Avenue. He faces multiple charges, including assault with a weapon, dangerous operation, and failing to stop after an accident.

In addition to the charges

Under provincial legislation, all 11 motorists received 90-day licence suspensions, their vehicles were impounded for seven days at the owner’s expense and the accused are scheduled for court appearances between July and August 2025.

All accused were released from police custody following the incidents.

Police warns against impaired driving

In a related social media post, OPP emphasized the dangers of impaired driving.

“Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, impaired is impaired and driving under the influence of either is a criminal offence,” wrote OPP Const. Kyler Brouwer.

‘Make the call’

OPP also urged the public to report suspected impaired drivers in its post.

“If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired, call 911,” added Brouwer.

“Drive sober.”