Police say teen charged with impaired crashed truck taken without consent

A stock photo showing a blurred view from inside a vehicle at night to simulate impaired driving. (File photo/iStock/Lucas Ninno)

An 18-year-old from Blind River faces multiple charges after allegedly stealing a pickup truck while impaired and later crashing it on Highway 17.

At about 1:30 a.m. on July 27, Ontario Provincial Police responded to a report that a black pickup truck had been “taken without consent” from a garage on Huron Avenue.

Shortly after, at approximately 2:15 a.m., authorities were called to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 17 in Algoma Mills. Police confirmed the vehicle involved was the pickup truck that had been reported stolen earlier that morning.

During their investigation, officers determined the driver had consumed alcohol. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Blind River OPP detachment for processing.

OPP said that the owner and the driver were known to each other.

Charges and penalties

As a result of the subsequent investigation, the male motorist was charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent and driving without a licence, insurance, permit or plates – along with two impaired offences – including operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80.

In addition to the charges, the driver received a 90-day licence suspension and the vehicle involved was impounded for seven days.

The teen is scheduled to appear in court in Elliot Lake on Oct. 2.

Police remind public to report impaired driving

In the news release related to the incident, police urged the public to report possibly impaired motorists.

“OPP continues to encourage the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 or contacting the OPP at 1-888-310-1122,” said police.