Ontario Provincial Police have laid numerous charges, including impaired driving, against a novice driver following an early-morning single-vehicle collision this week. The incident occurred on Highway 69 in Archipelago Township shortly after midnight on Feb. 2. “Officers attended and initiated an impaired driving investigation,” said OPP in a news release. As a result of the investigation, a 28-year-old motorist from Birch Island is charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, operation while impaired and driving while under a suspension. The accused, who holds only a G1 licence, also faces additional charges relating to violations of novice driver conditions, including operating a vehicle unaccompanied by a qualified driver, driving on a prohibited highway and driving at a prohibited hour. Officers further charged the individual with possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine) and failing to comply with a probation order. In addition to the charges, the motorist also received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and the vehicle involved was towed and impounded for seven days at the owner’s expense. “Drive sober,” added OPP Const. Brandon Charlebois in a social media post detailing the incident. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in a Parry Sound courtroom on April 2.
