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Northern Ontario

Sault crash leads to impaired, dangerous driving charges

Published: 

Efforts to reduce impaired driving in the northeast seem to be working in some communities – provincial police say stats are still high.

A 54-year-old man has been charged after police responded to reports of an erratic driver and a single-vehicle collision in Sault Ste. Marie last weekend.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service said officers were called to the area of Pim Street and Queen Street around 1:45 a.m. on March 29 after 911 operators received complaints of a speeding vehicle that struck multiple traffic signs.

Police later located the suspect vehicle in the 800 block of Queen Street East, where it had driven over a curb and hit a utility pole.

“Upon speaking with the driver, officers developed grounds to believe their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol,” police said in a news release.

The accused refused to provide a breath sample when demanded by officers.

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service vehicle An undated photo of a Sault Ste. Marie Police Service vehicle parked in front of the Sault police station. (File photo/Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service)

As a result of the incident, the motorist faces multiple charges, including:

  • operation while impaired by drug and/or alcohol,
  • dangerous operation of a motor vehicle,
  • defusal to comply with a breath demand,
  • two novice driver-related offences (refusing a breath sample and having a blood-alcohol concentration above zero), and
  • failing to notify of a change of address on a driver’s licence.

The man was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on April 28.

concept for drinking and driving - 520286392 A series of impaired driving incidents in northern Ontario last weekend kept Ontario Provincial Police busy. A glass of whiskey with ice, car keys and police handcuffs. (File photo/AlexRaths/iStock/Getty Images Plus)