NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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On July 15, 2019 at 9:26 a.m., the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a traffic complaint on Highway 17 near the town of Spanish, Ont. The complainant reported a westbound car all over the road and driving dangerously.
Police later located the vehicle on Front Street in Spanish. The male driver was known to police and was exhibiting signs of impairment. A standard field sobriety test (SFST) officer was also present and the male was subsequently arrested.
Keith Meawasige, 40 years of age, from Elliot Lake, Ont. was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC).
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake, Ont. on Sept. 3, 2019.
The East Algoma Detachments of the OPP would like to remind the motoring public to drive sober; this includes drug consumption as well. Impairment by drugs is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada (CC) and drivers who are charged with driving while impaired by drugs are subject to the same penalties as those who are charged with driving while impaired by alcohol.
The OPP has highly trained Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) officers who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers.
A charge of impairment by drugs involves all drugs, be it prescription, over-the-counter and those that are illegal. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
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