(MUNICIPALITY OF HURON SHORES, ON) – The East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) lays sixth impaired charged in 2026.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at around 3:45 p.m., police responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver after a black car lost control and flipped into a ditch on Highway 17 near Station Road in the Municipality of Huron Shores.
The investigation revealed that earlier, the same car had been traveling west on Highway 17 when it passed another vehicle in the Sowerby area, clipping it in the process. The other driver was not injured and pulled over to call police.
When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke with the driver and determined alcohol had been consumed. The driver was arrested and taken to a hospital in Thessalon for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. While in custody, the driver refused to provide a breath sample, and the vehicle was impounded.
James LEBLANC, 37 years old from Geraldton was charged with:
- Dangerous operation
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
- Operation while impaired – alcohol
- Fail to remain
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on March 5, 2025.