Sioux Lookout OPP charge five persons with impaired driving in six days

Tim Brody - Editor

Sioux Lookout Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged five people with impaired driving over a six day period between July 3 and July 8.
“Two of these incidents involved single vehicle collisions, two were reported by concerned members of the public, and the fifth vehicle was located by officers while on highway patrol. As a result of these investigations, vehicle drivers exhibiting impairment and with blood alcohol levels testing up to three times the legal limit have been removed from our local roadways,” Sioux Lookout OPP shared.
According to police, “In the early morning hours of Friday, July 3, 2020, officers were called to respond to a minivan in the ditch on Highway 664. Officers arrived on scene to find the vehicle with four occupants entirely off of the roadway. Investigation revealed the driver of the borrowed vehicle to be unlicensed and impaired by alcohol. The driver was arrested and was found to have a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit.”
The 19-year-old driver from Sioux Lookout was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(a), and
Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration 80 plus, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(b).
“Around midnight on July 4, 2020, emergency services were dispatched to respond to a car in the ditch on Highway 72, with airbags deployed. Local police, EMS, and fire services attended the scene and the lone occupant of the vehicle was transported to hospital for minor injuries. Following police investigation, the driver was found to be impaired. Breath demands were refused by the accused,” police informed.
The 31-year-old driver from Sioux Lookout was arrested and charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(a), and
Failure or refusal to comply with demand, contrary to Section 320(15)(1).
Police further informed, “On Saturday afternoon, July 4, 2020, officers were called to a report of a possible impaired driver. The described minivan was located in the parking lot of a local business on Fifth Avenue South, with recent damage noted to the vehicle and private property. The driver of the vehicle was arrested for impaired operation. After assessment, the accused was found to have a blood alcohol concentration three times over the legal limit.”
The 26-year-old driver of Zealand Township was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(a), and
Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration 80 plus, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(b), and
Failure to comply with Probation Order, contrary to Section 733.1(1).
“On Sunday morning, July 5, 2020, officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a local hotel for a report of a possible impaired driver. Officers attended and located the described SUV exhibiting recent damage to the rear of the vehicle. Following further investigation, the driver of the SUV was arrested for impaired operation. After assessment, the accused was found to have a blood alcohol concentration two times over the legal limit,” police informed.
The 30-year-old driver from Sioux Lookout was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(a), and
Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration 80 plus, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(b).
Police further informed, “In the early hours of Wednesday morning, July 8, 2020, officers on patrol observed an SUV parked at a rest area along Highway 72. Officers conducted a wellbeing check on the occupant, including a roadside alcohol test. After failing the test, the driver was arrested for impaired operation.”
Following an investigation, a 46-year-old resident of Summer Beaver First Nation was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, with:
Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(a), and
Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration 80 plus, contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(b).
Sioux Lookout OPP stated, “As well as presenting a safety risk to themselves and other road users, motorists who drive impaired by alcohol or drugs are subject to drivers licence suspensions, fines, vehicle impoundments, criminal records and increased insurance costs.
“The OPP is committed to protecting the safety of all users of Ontario's roadways. Members of the public are urged to report Impaired Driving by calling 911 in emergency situations. Complaints of impaired, aggressive or careless driving can also be made by calling 1-888-310-1122.”