(BLUEWATER, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a Strathroy-Caradoc Township resident with Impaired Operation – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus) following a failed breath test on February 4th on an O.F.S.C. snowmobile trail.
Huron County OPP officers were conducting a R.I.D.E. check for snowmobile operators on Bell’s Line and MacDonald Road in the Municipality of Bluewater. Several snowmobiles entered the R.I.D.E. check at approximately 7:00 p.m. In speaking with one of the operators, officers believed that the operator had consumed alcohol prior to driving, which led to a roadside screening device test on the individual. The breath test resulted in a failure and the operator was placed under arrest and taken into custody.
The accused was then transported to the Huron OPP Detachment for further breath tests. Two samples of breath were supplied to the Intoxilyzer Technician and both tests were found to be over the legal limit.
Michael LEWIS, 32 years-of-age from Strathroy-Caradoc Township has been charged with Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus).
Further investigation revealed that the snow machine being operated by the accused was not insured at the time of the stop. An additional charge was laid under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act (MSVA).
The involved snow machine was towed and impounded for seven days, and the accused’ driver’s license was suspended for a period of 90 days.
The accused has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for March 6th, 2023, at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.