(WELLINGTON COUNTY, ON) – Members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were kept extremely busy this past weekend with incidents involving drivers who made the conscious decision to drink alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Between Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 2:11 a.m. and Sunday November 16, 2014 at 12:58 a.m. Wellington County officers arrested seven different drivers for alcohol related Criminal Code offences.
The fact that this took place just days before the kickoff of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Festive R.I.D.E. campaign is discouraging and reinforces the fact that some drivers still aren’t getting the message. The campaign runs from November 19, 2014 through to January 2, 2015.
On November 15, 2014 at approximately 2:11 a.m. officers responded to a report of a single motor vehicle collision on Wellington Road 109 near Wellington Road 123 in the Town of Minto. Investigation revealed that the driver of a 1997 Ford pick-up lost control of his vehicle, entered the ditch, struck a mailbox and rolled over. Upon speaking with the driver police determined that he had drinking alcohol and a Roadside Screening Device test was conducted which resulted in a fail.
Trevor VANDENBERG age 19 of Mapleton Township has been charged with Impaired Driving.
At approximately 3:22 p.m. officers investigated the driver of a 2014 Dodge on Garafraxa Street near Gartshore Street in Fergus, Centre Wellington Township. Upon speaking with the driver police determined that he had been drinking and a Roadside Side Screening Device test was completed which resulted in a fail.
Thomas O’DONNELL age 46 of Wellington North Township has been charged with Over 80 Mgs.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. officers followed up on a driving complaint in the area of Brock Road and McLean Road in Puslinch Township. Officers located the 1990 Chevrolet pulled over on the shoulder of Highway 6 that matched the description given by the witness. Police spoke with the driver and determined that he was impaired by alcohol. Officers placed the male under arrest and he became combative. He was subsequently taken into custody after a brief struggle.
Alojz HOHNJEC age 46 of Kitchener has been charged with Impaired Care or Control, Over 80 Mgs and Resist Arrest.
At approximately 7:46 p.m. OPP officers investigated the driver of a 2011 Toyota that entered into a R.I.D.E. spot check on Gore Road near Town Line Road in Puslinch Township. After speaking with the driver police determined that he been drinking alcohol and a Roadside Screening Device test was conducted which resulted in a fail.
Bradley KALBFLEISCH age 56 of Cambridge has been charged with Over 80 Mgs.
At approximately 11:44 p.m. officers investigated the driver of a 2006 Chevrolet that pulled over on the shoulder of Highway 6 just south of the 401. Upon speaking with the driver police determined that he had been drinking and a Roadside Screening Device test was conducted which resulted in a fail.
Allan PALLAYA age 45 has been charged with Over 80 Mgs.
On Sunday, November 15, 2014 at approximately 12:47 a.m. officers investigated the driver of a 2002 Jaguar that entered into a R.I.D.E spot check on Highway 7 at the Guelph-Woolwich Town Line in Guelph-Eramosa Township. Police determined that the driver had been drinking and a Roadside Screening Device test demand was read. The driver was given several opportunities, however, refused to supply a suitable sample.
Agazi AREGAY age 24 of Kitchener has been Charged with Fail to Supply Suitable Breath Sample.
Approximately 11 minutes later OPP officers in Drayton, Mapleton Township investigated the driver of a 2002 Volkswagon on Main Street for a Highway Traffic Act violation and determined that he had been drinking. A Roadside Screening Device test was conducted which resulted in a fail.
Dane SOMMERVILLE age 28 of Mapleton Township has been charged with Over 80 Mgs.
In each incident the involved vehicle was towed and impounded for a period of seven days and their drivers’ licences suspended for 90 days as per statute.
Wellington County OPP is reminding all drivers that they are out in full-force detecting and apprehending impaired drivers through R.I.D.E. programs and during routine patrol. “We conduct sobriety checks around the clock says Scott Lawson, Detachment Commander of Wellington County OPP. “We will be stepping-up our enforcement efforts over the holiday season to reduce the number of collisions involving alcohol or drugs†he added.