Snowmachine driver severely injured in northern Ont. crash charged with impaired

The driver of a snowmachine east of Kapuskasing who received severe injuries in a collision has been charged with impaired driving.

A snowmachine crash early Thursday morning on a snowmobile trail in Moonbeam caused life-altering injuries for the driver.

Ontario Provincial Police said the driver is also facing impaired driving charges as a result of the single-vehicle collision.

OPP and Cochrane District Ambulance responded to the crash site around 1 a.m. on the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs ‘A’ Trail in Moonbeam.

“The operator was transported to the hospital by ambulance and is being treated for life-altering injuries,” police said.

The 46-year-old driver, who is from Haley Station located northwest of Ottawa, has been charged with driving while impaired by alcohol.

Second driver charged with impaired

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Kapuskasing on Feb. 24.

“Additionally, officers determined that another (snowmachine) operator at the scene had consumed alcohol,” police said.

“The individual was issued a demand to provide a breath sample into an approved screening device and failed to do so.”

The 37-year-old suspect from Phelpston (near Barrie) was charged with refusal to comply with a breath demand.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Kapuskasing on Feb. 24.