OPP lay impaired driving charges after Hwy. 11/17 crash

Ontario Provincial Police charged a driver with multiple impaired driving offences following a motor vehicle crash on Highway 11-17 near John Street in Thunder Bay, Ont., on September 20, 2025. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

Ontario Provincial Police have laid multiple impaired driving-related charges against a local man following a motor vehicle collision on Highway 11-17 in Thunder Bay early Saturday morning.

Officers were dispatched to the scene near John Street at about 12:50 a.m. on Sept. 20 after receiving a report of the crash.

Investigation leads to charges

“Throughout the investigation, it was determined that one (of) the drivers had been consuming alcoholic beverages,” police said in a news release on Sunday.

The driver, a 28-year-old man from Thunder Bay, was taken into custody and taken to an OPP detachment for further testing.

The driver was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and failing to surrender his licence in addition to three impaired driving offences, including being a novice driver with a blood alcohol concentration above zero and having a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 22.

Police stress dangers of impaired driving

Police urged the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 in emergencies, advising that complaints of impaired, aggressive or careless driving can also be made by calling the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.

“The OPP is committed to safety for all who utilize Ontario’s roadways,” said police.