NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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On July 28, 2023 shortly after 1 p.m., members from the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) with the assistance from the Mississauga First Nation Police Service responded to multiple traffic complaints of a suspected impaired driver eastbound through the Town of Blind River, Highway 17 to the Township of the North Shore.
A short time later, police located the suspect vehicle on Mel Lake Road in Algoma Mills. While speaking with the driver, police determined the driver had consumed drugs. An arrest was made, and the driver was transported to Blind River detachment where further testing was conducted by an OPP drug recognition evaluator (DRE) from Manitoulin OPP. The vehicle was towed and impounded.
As a result, Harold Fleming, 58 years of age from Perth, was charged with operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Sept. 7, 2023.
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 and drivers are subject to the same penalties as those who are charged with driving while impaired by alcohol.
The OPP has highly trained DRE officers who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, call 911 or contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
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