(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) On Sunday September 22, 2013 at 6:58 p.m. members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were responding to an unrelated call on the Oneida First Nation, when they observed a Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck, drive through an intersection without stopping. Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle, at which time the vehicle fled the scene. Moments later the fleeing pick-up truck struck a second police vehicle before entering a ditch and becoming stuck. The driver and his passenger were arrested at the scene. No serious injuries were reported and the police cruiser sustained minor damage.
As a result police have charged Duane NICHOLAS, age 42 of Oneida First Nation with:
Flight from police officer as per Section 249.1(1) of the Criminal Code (CC)
Dangerous Operation – Motor Vehicle- 249(1)(a) CC
Fail to Remain at Scene of Accident – 252 CC
Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle / Alcohol- 253(1)(a) CC
Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content / Motor Vehicle – 253(1)(b) CC
Disobey stop sign – fail to stop as per Section 136(1)(a) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
The accused has been released from police custody by-way of a Promise to Appear (PTA) and is scheduled to appear in a London court room on October 24, 2013 to speak to the charges. The adult female passenger was released unconditionally.
Every day, four more Canadians are killed and 175 more are injured due to crashes related to alcohol and/ or drugs. The Middlesex OPP is committed to working with all our local stake holders and community partners to stop impaired driving. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired you are encouraged to contact the OPP anytime anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 911 or 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000