Passed out drivers, crashes, drug busts among 10 Sudbury impaired cases over 4 days

An undated photo of a Greater Sudbury Police Service vehicle. (File photo/Supplied/Greater Sudbury Police Service)

Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) charged 10 drivers with impaired-related offences over the four-day period from July 3-6. The incidents ranged from drivers found asleep behind the wheel to collisions and drug-related impairments.

Driver found asleep with drug paraphernalia

At 5:54 a.m. on July 3, officers observed a vehicle on Bloor Street with a driver who appeared to be sleeping. After difficulty waking the driver, officers noted signs of drug impairment and paraphernalia in the vehicle. A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) confirmed impairment.

As a result, a 43-year-old Sudbury woman was charged with impaired driving.

Intoxicated driver at public beach

At 12:17 p.m. on the Thursday, police responded to a 911 call about a man consuming alcohol at a Skead beach before entering a vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop, administered a field sobriety test and arrested the driver. A DRE confirmed drug impairment.

Subsequently, a 58-year-old local man was charged with impaired driving.

Stolen vehicle with impaired driver

At 6:42 a.m. on July 4, officers found a man passed out in a running vehicle in a Notre Dame Avenue parking lot. The vehicle was in drive, with the driver’s foot on the brake. Drug paraphernalia was located and a DRE confirmed impairment. Police later determined the vehicle was stolen.

As a result, a 26-year-old Sudbury man was charged with theft of motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime and impaired driving.

Driver blows over legal limit

At 8:31 p.m. on Friday, police received a tip about a woman drinking before driving. Officers located her on Notre Dame Avenue, where she failed a roadside screening test. Breath samples at headquarters confirmed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit.

Subsequently, a 27-year-old local woman was charged with two impaired driving offences – including having a BAC over 80.

Collision leads to drug trafficking charges

At 1:43 a.m. on July 5, officers found a vehicle that had struck a traffic sign on Lasalle Boulevard. The driver, a G1 licence holder, showed signs of drug impairment. A search uncovered 2.8 grams of crack cocaine, 239 Gabapentin pills and 37 Pregabalin pills.

As a result of the investigation, the driver, a 34-year-old Sudbury man, faces multiple charges, including two counts drug trafficking, drug possession, driving without insurance, G1 licence holder unaccompanied by a qualified driver, G1 licence holder driving at unlawful hour, impaired driving and having cannabis readily available in a vehicle.

‘Alert’: 3-day licence suspension

At 1:34 p.m. on Saturday, officers spoke with a driver during an unrelated investigation and detected alcohol.

“The driver provided a suitable sample, registering a reading of ‘alert,’” police said in a news release.

As a result, the 19-year-old received a three-day licence suspension but was not criminally charged.

Driver refuses breath sample

At 12:42 a.m. on July 6, police and paramedics responded to a report of an unconscious driver on Martindale Road. The driver, medically cleared, failed a roadside test but refused breath samples at headquarters. Police then discovered he was also a prohibited driver.

Subsequently, the 39-year-old local man was charged with operation while prohibited and refusal to comply with demand.

Driver rams police cruiser while trying to flee

During the early morning hours on Sunday, just before 2 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle on Highway 17 after a tip about an impaired driver. The suspect then reversed into a police cruiser and attempted to flee before being boxed in. Breath samples showed the 34-year-old Sudbury man had a blood alcohol concentration of three times the legal limit.

As a result of the incident, the driver was charged with dangerous operation, flight from a peace officer, two counts of driving while under suspension and possession of a licence while prohibited, along with two impaired driving offences – including operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of more than 80.

Rollover crash leads to false theft report

Later in the morning at about 5:30 a.m., police responded to a rolled-over pickup truck in Chelmsford. The teenage driver fled but was later found and falsely claimed the vehicle was stolen. He failed a roadside test and had an alcohol level over the legal limit.

As a result, Chelmsford teen was charged with dangerous operation, failing to remain, along with four impaired driving offences – including young driver with BAC about zero, novice driver with BAC above zero and operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of more than 80.

Stumbling driver arrested

Finally, at about 7:50 p.m. on Sunday evening, GSPS members arrested a driver on Lasalle Boulevard after witnesses reported stumbling behaviour. Breath tests confirmed a BAC well over the legal limit.

As a result, the 61-year-old woman was charged with two impaired driving offences.

Sudbury police stress sober driving

Under provincial law, all drivers charged with impaired driving-related offences or for refusing to comply with a demand had their licences suspended for 90 days and the vehicles involved were impounded for seven days at the owner’s expense.

“Our officers remain committed to both proactively and reactively addressing impaired driving through proactive patrols and dedicated enforcement efforts,” GSPS said in their news release, referencing initiatives like the RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.

Police also credited the community for its tips and urged the public to continue to call 911 for suspected impaired drivers.

“Please make the responsible choice and plan ahead for a safe ride home,” said police.

“Drive safe, drive sober.”