Since Jan. 1, the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid 56 impaired driving charges, marking a 44 per cent increase over 2022, which had 39 impaired driving charges in the same time period. Three of those charges occurred on Aug. 30, 2023.
At 6:45 p.m., OPP responded to a complaint of a pickup truck hitting a train crossing arm on Highway 6 in Espanola.
Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. It was determined the driver had been consuming drugs. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and returned to the McKerrow OPP detachment for further tests.
Alberto Defaria, 63 years old from Espanola, was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
• Possession of a Schedule I substance - opioid (other than heroin)
• Dangerous operation
• Mischief - destroys or damages property
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on Oct. 3, 2023.
Shortly after 4 p.m., OPP responded to a complaint of a car in the ditch on Highway 542 in Carnarvon Township. The complainant suspected the driver was impaired.
Police located the vehicle and it was determined the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and returned to the McKerrow OPP detachment for further tests.
Kristina Colter, 32 years old from Acton, was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released and scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on Sept. 27, 2023.
Shortly before 3:20 p.m., OPP observed a vehicle swerving in and out of its lane on Highway 17 in Baldwin Township.
Police conducted a traffic stop. It was determined the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and returned to the McKerrow OPP detachment for further tests.
Allan Gilpin, 53 years old from Belle Ewart, was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released and scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on Oct. 3, 2023.
In all three occurrences, the driver was issued a 90-day administrative driver's licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
Drivers are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan not to drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver or take a taxi.
If you observe a suspected impaired driver, please call 9-1-1 immediately and report it.