MEAWASIGE – Drunk Driving

(THUNDER BAY, ON) – A routine traffic stop for a suspended driver ended with criminal charges for an impaired driver. 

On December 17, 2024, shortly after 10:30 am, a member of the Thunder Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after receiving an Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) hit that the registered owner was suspended. 

Investigation determined that the driver had been consuming alcohol, and an approved screening device (ASD) test was administered. The driver failed the test and was arrested and transported to the Thunder Bay Detachment where additional breath testing was completed.    

Leon MEAWASIGE, 41-years-old, from Thunder Bay is charged criminally with:

·      Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

·      Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused was also charged with:

·      Operate a motor vehicle without insurance – contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act

·      Driving while under suspension – contrary to the Highway Traffic Act

The accused had his driver’s licence suspended and the vehicle was impounded. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Thunder Bay Ontario Court of Justice on January 22, 2025, to answer to the criminal charges.

This year’s Festive RIDE Campaign runs from November 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Citizens are reminded to do their part during the campaign by never driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, and never letting anyone else drive if you know or suspect that they have consumed either.

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.