Police say impaired driver was found asleep in the ditch

Ontario Provincial Police responded around 7:20 a.m. Jan. 4 to a call that said there was a truck in a ditch on Birch Street in Blind River

A 35-year-old man has been charged after police in Blind River received a report about a pickup truck in a ditch Jan. 4.

Police responded around 7:20 a.m. to a call that said there was a truck on Birch Street.

Ontario Provincial Police arrived to “find a beige pickup truck in the ditch still running and the driver passed out at the wheel.”

“Police woke him up and detected a strong odour of alcoholic beverage from his breath, along with obvious signs of impairment,” police said in a news release Jan. 5.

“He was subsequently arrested and the pickup truck was towed and impounded.”

The Blind River resident is charged with impaired driving and has a court date of March 5 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake.

“The OPP reminds motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive,” police said.

“Report impaired drivers.”

If anyone sees a suspected impaired driver, dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.