(ESPANOLA, ON) – The Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested three people for impaired driving on August 30, 2023. The Manitoulin OPP has laid 56 impaired driving charges since January 1, 2023. This is a 44 per cent increase over 2022, which had 39 impaired driving charges between January 1 and August 31.
On August 30, 2023, at 6:45 p.m., the Manitoulin OPP responded to a complaint of a pick-up 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 October 3, 2023.
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.
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