NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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JOHNSON TOWNSHIP - On March 17, 2018, members from the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) set up a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) check on Lake Huron Drive in Johnson Township.
Shortly after 1:30 a.m., police observed a vehicle approach the R.I.D.E. check area at a low rate of speed. The officer attempted to flag the moving vehicle down and it drove through the R.I.D.E. check. The officer followed the vehicle with its emergency lights activated onto Main Street then onto Margaret Street where it turned into a driveway.
Investigation determined the male driver was not impaired but couldn't produce a valid driver's licence. A driver's licence query revealed the male was a suspended driver and was residing at the address that he pulled into. As the investigation continued a criminal check revealed the male was wanted out of Sault Ste. Marie Police Service for a committal warrant for 15 days imprisonment.
The male was transported to the Algoma Remand Treatment Centre in Sault Ste Marie. The vehicle he was driving was towed and impounded for seven days.
As a result of the investigation, Shaun Hutchinson, 42 years of age from Desbarats, Ont. was charged with:
- Driving while under suspension (x2), contrary to section 53(1) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA); and with
- Flight while pursued by peace officer, contrary to section 249.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
The accused is schedule to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Blind River on April 5, 2018 for the Criminal Code charge and the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on April 25, 2018 for the HTA charges.
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