Ontario Provincial Police in North Bay charged 12 individuals for impaired driving-related offences during the month of May, in incidents ranging from traffic stops to a marine safety check and a single-vehicle collision. The individuals were arrested between May 2-31 and involved drivers from several municipalities – including Callander, Claremont, Cochrane, East Ferris, North Bay, St. Anns, Sudbury, Temagami and West Nipissing. Gas station, highway stops lead to drug charges At about 6:15 a.m. on May 2, OPP said an officer observed a vehicle parked in a gas station parking lot along the Highway 11/17 bypass. “The driver was observed slouched over with their head in their lap, appearing to be unconscious,” said OPP in a news release on June 2. During the interaction, police said the officer observed signs consistent with impairment by a drug. The driver was arrested and transported to the North Bay OPP detachment for further testing. OPP said a search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of suspected psilocybin. As a result, the motorist, a 27-year-old man from Callander was charged with impaired driving and drug possession. He is scheduled to appear in court in North Bay on June 2. A week later, at about 7 a.m. on May 9, OPP said officers another traffic stop. “OPP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in a commercial lot on Highway 11/17 in North Bay,” said police. During the interaction, OPP said the officer observed signs consistent with impairment by drugs and a search of the vehicle led to the seizure of suspected crystal methamphetamine. As a result, the motorist, a 36-year-old from North Bay, was charged with driving while suspended, drug possession and two impaired driving charges. The accused is scheduled to appear in court on July 7. Both drug and alcohol impairment among May incidents The next day, on May 7 at about 7 a.m., police said OPP conducted another traffic stop on a vehicle in a commercial lot on Highway 11/17 in North Bay. “During the investigation, officers observed suspected cannabis in the centre console and signs consistent with drug impairment,” said police. As a result, the motorist, a 76-year-old man from East Ferris, was charged with failing or refusing to comply with a demand, impaired driving and having care or control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 7. Later that day, at about 8 p.m., police said OPP conducted a traffic stop on Highway 17 in East Ferris Township after observing a vehicle exhibiting “aggressive driving behaviour.” OPP said officers noted signs of alcohol impairment. As a result, the motorist, a 65-year-old man from Sudbury, was charged with two impaired driving offences, including operation with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 2. Crash, marine check and speeding offences At 11 a.m. the next day, May 11, police said OPP conducted a traffic stop on Nova Beaucage Road in Nipissing First Nation and that officers observed signs consistent with alcohol impairment. As a result, the motorists, a 47-year-old local woman, was charged with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80. She is scheduled to appear in court on June 16. Then, at about 7:45 p.m. on May 17, police said OPP responded to a traffic complaint about a vehicle doing burnouts in a parking lot off Neault Road in Papineau-Cameron Township. As a result of the OPP investigation, the driver, a 26-year-old North Bay man, was charged with stunt driving along with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 2. Subsequently, at about 8 p.m. on May 19, OPP said officers responded to a traffic complaint about a speeding vehicle. “Officers observed the vehicle travelling 153 km/h in a posted 100 km/h zone on Highway 11 South in North Bay,” said OPP. As a result of the OPP investigation, the driver, a 40-year-old Cochrane man, was also charged with stunt driving along with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 30 The next day on May 20 at about 5:30 p.m., OPP said police along with emergency medical services and fire services, responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on private property on First Street in Callander. “The driver was initially unresponsive but later stabilized and transported to hospital,” said police. As a result of a police investigation, the motorist, a 42-year-old from West Nipissing, was charged with two impaired driving offences. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 2. Boater charged, two arrested in seat-switching incident OPP conducted marine safety checks on Lake Nosbonsing at about 3:30 p.m. on May 22. “During an inspection, officers observed signs of alcohol impairment from a vessel operator,” OPP said. As a result, the boater, a 51-year-old man from St. Anns, was charged with operating a boat underway with liquor not in a closed compartment, failing to wear a personal flotation device and failing to have proof of competency on board a pleasure craft along with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 16. Early morning, about 2:45 a.m., on May 24, police said OPP observed a vehicle on Highway 11/17 “exhibiting erratic driving behaviour.” Police said an OPP traffic stop was conducted on Bromley Avenue. “Officers observed six occupants in a five-seat vehicle, and the driver showed signs of alcohol impairment,” said OPP. As a result, the driver at the time of the stop, 37-year-old man from Temagami, was charged with two impaired driving offences – including operating a vehicle with a BAC over 80. However, further investigation revealed that another individual had been driving and switched seats prior to the stop. A 41-year-old North Bay man was also charged with failing or refusing to comply with a demand, stunt driving and driving while under a suspension. Both accused in this incident are scheduled to appear in court on July 7. Final May arrest in Powassan Finally, at around noon on May 31, police said OPP conducted a traffic stop for speeding on Golf Course Road in Powassan. OPP said officers observed signs consistent with alcohol impairment. As a result, the motorist, a 53-year-old man from Claremont, was charged with impaired driving. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 7. Additional penalties In addition to the charges, all drivers charged with impaired driving-related offences – including failing or refusing to comply with a demand – were also issued a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and the motor vehicles involved were impounded for seven days. Report impaired drivers OPP said members of the public are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911. “OPP continues to proactively enforce impaired driving laws across the region,” said police. “Drive sober,” added OPP Const. Kyler Brouwer in a related social media post.
