A 39-year-old driver from Ville-Marie, Que., is facing multiple criminal charges after Ontario Provincial Police say officers located a stolen vehicle on Highway 11 in Marten River over the long weekend. Officers responded to a 911 call at about 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 1, regarding a vehicle that had become disabled on the highway about 50 kilometres south of North Bay. OPP said members attended the location and spoke with the driver. “During the interaction, officers determined the individual had consumed alcohol,” police said in a news release Wednesday. “The driver was arrested and transported to the North Bay OPP detachment for further testing.” Vehicle remotely disabled The subsequent investigation revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Sûreté du Québec by its registered owner. “The vehicle had also been remotely disabled, coming to a stop on Highway 11 prior to police arrival,” OPP said. Police said that the investigation also confirmed that the driver was prohibited from operating a motor vehicle. Accused released, licence suspended The driver has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, operation while prohibited, two impaired driving offences – including operation with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – and failing to comply with a probation order. “The name of the accused will not be released in order to protect the identity of the victim,” OPP said. In addition to the criminal charges, the motorist received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in North Bay on Sept. 1. OPP urge public to report impaired driving Provincial police used the incident to remind the public to promptly report suspected impaired drivers. “If you suspect someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 911,” OPP said. “Your actions could save a life.”
