Driver sleeping at wheel arrested after speeding off when awakened by police

An Ontario Provincial Police crest is pictured on an officer's uniform. (Supplied)

Ontario Provincial Police say a driver in eastern Ontario is facing charges after being found asleep at the wheel last week.

A vehicle was spotted idling on the shoulder of Highway 15 near Lyndhurst, Ont. at around 12:30 a.m. on March 13.

An officer woke the driver up, but police say he immediately put the car in gear and sped off.

The same vehicle was found idling again a short distance away and the driver, who police say was “in an altered state of mind,” was arrested.

OPP say the 33-year-old driver is facing charges of impaired driving, fleeing police, failing to wear a seatbelt, and driving with liquor readily available.

The man’s driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and his vehicle was impounded for seven. He’s due in court in May.

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