Northwestern Ont. man charged after vehicle crashes into hotel, driver flees the scene

An OPP cruiser is shown in this undated file image. A 38-year-old man from Kenora has been charged with drugged driving after a vehicle struck a hotel in the community earlier this month.

A 38-year-old man from Kenora has been charged with drugged driving after a vehicle struck a hotel in the community earlier this month.

The incident took place around 1 a.m. May 4 on Lakeview Driver, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Thursday.

“The driver of the motor vehicle took off on foot into a nearby wooded area,” police said.

“Members of the Kenora detachment, with the assistance of the K9 unit and the emergency response team, attended and subsequently located the suspect.”

It emerged the driver was impaired by drugs, police said, and he was taken to the Kenora detachment for further testing.

Charges include impaired driving and failing to report an accident.

His licence was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle was impounded for seven days.

• Download the CTV News app now
• Get local breaking news alerts

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Kenora on June 5.

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 911 to report it.