The Southern Georgian Bay OPP laid several charges over the weekend in and around Midland.
During a RIDE spot check at the intersection of Highway 12 at Ogden's Beach Road on Nov. 6 just before 1 a.m., police say they encountered a car loaded with occupants.
After speaking with the driver, the officer started an impaired driving investigation, according to an OPP news release.
Katherine Adele Dupuis, 32, of Penetanguishene was charged criminally with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
Dupuis was also charged with:
- Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act
- Fail to surrender insurance card contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
- Driver fail to surrender licence contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
- Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Nov. 23. She also faces a 90-day driver's licence suspension. The vehicle was also towed and impounded for seven days.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Dupuis is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Driver accused of taking vehicle with consent
An OPP officer on patrol made a traffic stop on King Street in Midland around 7:50 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Police allege the driver was unable to provide documentation for himself. A further investigation for another police agency resulted in the driver being arrested and transported to the police detachment, which resulted in the seizure of a quantity of suspected cocaine, police allege.
Police say that during this process, the owner of the vehicle that the accused was operating reported it missing.
As a result, Joseph Deschamps, 48, of Midland has been charged with:
- Take motor vehicle without consent contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
- Possession of a Schedule I substance- Cocaine contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act
- Driving while under suspension contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Dec. 14.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Deschamps is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
No insurance, no valid permit, police say
OPP officers on patrol using an automated licence plate reader made a traffic stop on Balm Beach Road in Midland at around 3:55 p.m. Nov. 5 and entered into a suspected prohibited driving investigation.
Michelle Vanderhart, 40, of Penetanguishene has been charged with the following driving and vehicle related offences:
- Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code
- Operate vehicle with no Insurance contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
- Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit
Vanderhart was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Jan. 4. The driver's vehicle was towed and impounded for 45 days.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Vanderhart is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Stunt driving charge
An OPP officer having an eye on traffic on Simcoe County Road 93 in Midland at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 2 clocked a 29-year-old Penetanguishene driver travelling at 117 km/hr in the 60 km/hr zone.
Police said the driver's vehicle was impounded for 14 days as per Ministry of Transportation guidelines. Charges to be heard in Provincial Offences Court at a future date are stunt driving, speeding and failing to surrender licence contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.
Stopped in middle of intersection
On Nov. 2 at around 3:25 p.m. a white SUV travelling through the controlled intersection of Cook Drive and Hugel Avenue caught the eye of a passing OPP shift supervisor as the vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection after failing to stop for a red traffic light, according to police.
The officer was able to make a safe traffic stop and spoke with the lone driver and entered into an impaired driving investigation.
During the investigation the accused fled the scene, police said.
The driver was located by officers at a Wright Street, Midland residence and taken to the detachment for a breathalyzer test.
Jonathon Hickey, 39, of Paradise, Newfoundland, has been charged criminally with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Obstruct peace officer
- Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code
- Escape lawful custody
Hickey is also charged with the following under the Highway Traffic Act:
- Red light - fail to stop
- Driving while under suspension
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a future date. The accused also faces a 90-day driver's licence suspension as per Ministry of Transportation guidelines. The vehicle was towed and impounded for 45 days.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Hickey is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
