NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
Members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were out patrolling roadways in North Simcoe being vigilant for impaired and speed related driving offences in the interest of road safety. The following are a few of the incidents that officers investigated over the dates of Aug. 13-17, 2020 proving the point that no traffic stop is "just routine".
On Aug. 14, 2020 at 5:49 p.m., an OPP officer on patrol responded to a report from a motorist of an erratic driver north bound on Highway 93 near Waverley. The officer was able to locate the suspect vehicle and make the stop south of the intersection of Highway 12 and 93 in the Town of Midland.
Upon approaching the driver of the stopped vehicle, the officer was challenged by the driver with a water gun which the officer was able to talk the driver into putting the water gun down. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer supported by other shift officers entered into an impaired driving investigation. During this investigation, a loaded replica air pistol was seized from the driver during a search of his person at the scene. Also seized was a small quantity of cocaine along with associated drug paraphernalia. Upon arrival at detachment [it is alleged that] the accused damaged the cell area of the detachment.
Charged in connection with this incident is Steven Dufour, 22 years of Tay Township, with the following offences:
• Carrying concealed weapon
• Mischief - renders property dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance - cocaine contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Novice driver blood alcohol concentration above zero
• Operating a motor vehicle without a supervisor driver contrary to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act
The accused was released from custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Nov. 19, 2020.
OPP officers were dispatched at 9:15 p.m. Aug. 13, 2020 to a report of a possible impaired driver on Rumney Road Tay Township called into the OPP Communications Center by a concerned member of the public. A responding officer located the described suspect vehicle on Highway 12 and was able to stop the vehicle near Old Fort Road. Upon speaking with the lone driver, the officer entered into a drinking and driving investigation which was completed at detachment.
As a result of this investigation Megan Murray, 30 years of Midland, has been charged with the following driving offence contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada:
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused driver's licence has been suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days as per the conditions of the administrative drivers licence suspension (ADLS). Accused was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Oct. 29, 2020.
At 7:56 p.m. Aug. 13, 2020, the OPP Communications Center received a report from a driver that they had been involved in a fail to remain crash on Cedar Point Road near the 17th Concession Road of Tiny. Responding officers attended the scene and upon speaking with the caller entered into a drinking and driving investigation.
As a result of the investigation it was learned that there was no other vehicles involved in this single vehicle crash and the driver Nicole Williams, 33 years of Midland, has been charged with the following Criminal Code of Canada driving offences:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused driver's licence has been suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days as per the conditions of the administrative drivers licence suspension (ADLS). Accused was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Nov. 5, 2020.
On Aug. 17, 2020 at 2:02 p.m., an OPP officer on traffic patrol was able obtain a speed reading of 131 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on a south bound car on Simcoe County Road 6 near Concession Road 6. Male driver was issued an summons for a future date in Provincial offences court in Penetanguishene.
A sharp-eyed OPP officer on traffic patrol along Concession Road 15 west of Simcoe County Road 6 Tiny Township was able to obtain a speed reading of a vehicle travelling at 137 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Aug. 15, 2020 at 3:38 p.m. The 17-year-old male driver had his vehicle impounded for seven days and his license suspended for seven days as per the conditions of the administrative drivers licence suspension (ADLS). He also faces a monetary administrative fee to reinstate his drivers licence at the end of the suspension.
OPP officers remind drivers that they will be taking all precautions available during this time to protect themselves and others while conducting investigations either at the roadside or at detachment. Calls from the public are always appreciated as road safety is paramount for all road users.
*************************
