(BLIND RIVER, ON) – A driver was arrested and charged for impaired by drug.
On January 9, 2026, at approximately 12:15 p.m., the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting Reduce Impaired Drivers Everywhere (RIDE) on Canoe Lake Road, Mississauga First Nation. A grey pickup truck stopped and a Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) was conducted. As a result the driver was arrested and vehicle was towed and impounded.
Donald Linus GIONETTE, 72-years-old, of Mississauga First Nation was charged with:
- Operation while impaired – Drugs
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on March 5, 2026.
The OPP would like to remind the motoring public to drive sober; this includes drug consumption as well. Impairment by drugs is a crime under the Criminal Code and drivers are subject to the same penalties as those who are charged with driving while impaired by alcohol. A charge of impairment by drugs involves all drugs, be it prescription, over-the-counter and those that are illegal.
The OPP has highly trained DRE officers who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
