(PETAWAWA, ON) – Four drivers are facing Criminal Code (CC) impaired driving charges after members of the Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recently investigated four separate incidents.
On June 1, 2024, at approximately 12:20 a.m., police responded to a report of a possible impaired driver in Petawawa. Police located the vehicle a short time later and a traffic stop was conducted on Civic Centre Road in Petawawa. As part of the investigation a Roadside Screening Device was utilized, and the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing.
As a result of this incident 23-year-old Zachary OKEEFE of Denwood, Alberta, is charged with the following CC offences:
• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus
The accused was released to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on July 22, 2024.
On June 2, 2024, at approximately 3:15 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop in Pembroke on Isabella Street. As part of the investigation a Roadside Screening Device was utilized, and the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing.
As a result of this incident Andrew MACDONALD, age 31 of Pembroke, is charged with the following CC offences:
- Operation while impaired – alcohol
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus
- Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code
The accused was released to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on July 16, 2024.
Later, on June 2, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m. police responded to a report of a possible impaired driver in the Pembroke area. Police located the vehicle on Traxton Way in Laurentian Valley Township (LVTP) and a traffic stop was conducted. As part of the investigation a Roadside Screening Device was utilized, and the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing.
As a result of this incident David Andrew FAIRWEATHER, age 58 of LVTP, is charged with the following CC and Liquor License Control Act (LLCA) offences:
- Operation while impaired – alcohol
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus
- Having care or control of a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor
The accused was released to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on July 15, 2024.
On June 4, 2024, at approximately 7:00 a.m., police responded to a single-vehicle collision on Albert Street in Petawawa after a vehicle left the roadway and struck a hedge. The driver, who was not injured, was transported to the detachment for further testing by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officer.
As a result of this incident Luke George VERCH, age 23 of LVTP, is charged with the following CC offence:
· Operation while impaired – drugs
The accused was released to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on July 9, 2024.
The accused individuals had their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and their vehicles were towed and impounded.
