OPP Highway 17 stop for speeding stop nets impaired, liquor charges

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

A 42-year-old man from Victoria Harbour faces impaired driving and other charges following a traffic stop on Highway 17 west of Iron Bridge.

Ontario Provincial Police said that officers on patrol spotted a grey SUV travelling at a high rate of speed on April 21 at about 9:45 p.m.

Police initiated a traffic stop near Hopkins Bay Road.

“During the interaction, the officer observed signs consistent with impairment by alcohol,” the OPP said.

“The driver was arrested and transported to the Thessalon OPP detachment for further testing.”

As a result, the motorist was charged with careless driving, speeding and driving a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor along with two impaired driving offences, including operation with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

In addition to the charges, the man’s driver’s licence was automatically suspended for 90 days and the SUV was impounded by police for seven days.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court in Elliot Lake on June 4.

The charges mark the 16th impaired driving-related charge laid by OPP’s East Algoma detachment in 2026.