A 40-year-old man from East Ferris is facing impaired driving and other charges after a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) ended up in a ditch after striking a rock during an event in Papineau-Cameron Township over the long weekend. Patrol leads to collision report Ontario Provincial Police were conducting patrols at the Thunder Valley Semi Racing – Truck Rodeo on Neault Road shortly before midnight on Aug. 1 when an event volunteer reported a collision involving a side-by-side UTV. “Officers located the UTV in a ditch after it had struck a large rock,” OPP said in a news release. Driver arrested due signs of impairment Police said officers spoke with the driver and observed behaviours indicating he may be impaired. “The driver was arrested and transported to the Mattawa OPP detachment for further testing.” OPP said the investigation also determined the vehicle had been taken without the owner’s consent. Charges, penalty and a court date Subsequently, the accused has been charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent, two impaired driving offences – including operation with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – and failing to comply with a probation order. In addition to the charges, the man also received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in North Bay on Sept. 8. OPP urge public to report impaired driving Provincial police used the incident to remind the public that it is vital to report suspected impaired drivers. “If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 911 to report it,” OPP wrote in the release.
