Members of the Collingwood and Blue Mountains Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested three individuals and laid charges in separate impaired driving investigations in a 24-hour period over the weekend.
At 2:43am Saturday January 6, 2024, an officer observed a dark colour Volkswagen sedan that was swerving between lanes on First Street in Collingwood. The vehicle came to a stop in a parking lot where officers spoke to the male driver. Officers determined that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and placed him under arrest. As a result of the investigation, a 35-year-old male from Collingwood was released on an Appearance Notice and charged with Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol (80 plus). He will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Collingwood at a future date.
At 1:51am Sunday January 7, 2024, while officers were conducting a RIDE spot check on Jozo Weider Blvd in the Town of the Blue Mountains, they stopped a male driver in a White Mercedes. As a result of the roadside investigation, the driver was arrested and transported to the Collingwood OPP detachment, where it was determined that his blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit. A 25-year-old male from Shelburne ON was released on an Appearance Notice charged with Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol (80 plus), he is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on a future date.
At 2:38am Sunday Jan 7, 2024, Collingwood OPP were dispatched to a motor vehicle that collided with a utility pole on Mountain Rd in Collingwood. Officers determined that the driver had been drinking alcohol prior to the collision and he was arrested for an impaired operation offence. A 34-year-old male, from North York has been released on an Appearance Notice and charged with Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol (80 plus), he will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Collingwood at a future date.
All the drivers have been served a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension and their vehicles have been impounded for seven days.
The OPP remind the public that impaired drivers put our community at risk and although the festive RIDE campaign has ended, our officers will continue to proactively conduct RIDE spot checks all year around looking for drivers who operate any vehicle or conveyance while impaired. If you plan on consuming drugs or alcohol, please plan to have a designated driver, call a friend, take a taxi or arrange for another form of transportation to get you home safely. If you suspect someone of driving while impaired, call the OPP 1-888-310-1122 or dial 911 to report it.