More Impaired Drivers Arrested – Names Released

(PEMBROKE, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) 2025 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign commenced on November 20, 2025, and will continue until January 1, 2026. During the fourth week of the campaign from December 11 to December 17, 2025, officers from the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the OPP conducted 25 RIDE checks throughout the detachment area.

A three-day driver’s license suspension was issued to a driver after a RIDE check in North Algona-Wilberforce Township on December 13, 2025. Beyond the RIDE checks, several other drivers were charged with impaired driving-related offences during the week. 

On December 14, 2025, at approximately 12:50 a.m., police investigated an occupied vehicle parked at the Meath Hill boat launch adjacent to Highway 17 in the Township of Whitewater Region (WWR). A Roadside Screening Device was utilized, and the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing.

As a result of this incident 40-year-old Amanda CLOSTRE of Cobden has been charged with the following Criminal Code (CC) offence:

·        Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus

On December 14, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., police stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 41 in Bonnechere Valley Township. A Roadside Screening Device was utilized, and the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing.

As a result of this incident 43-year-old Lindsey PULLIN of Eganville has been charged with the following CC, Provincial Offences Act (POA), and Highway Traffic Act (HTA) offences:

·        Operation while impaired – alcohol

·        Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus

·        Breach of POA probation – three counts

·        Speeding 1-49 Km/h over posted limit

On December 14, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., police responded to single vehicle collision on Highway 17 near Josie Lane in Laurentian Hills. The involved SUV left the roadway and struck a guardrail, no injuries were reported. A Roadside Screening Device was utilized, and the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing.

As a result of this incident 60-year-old John COLLINS of Thunder Bay has been charged with the following CC offences:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus

On December 16, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 17 near Finnerty Road in WWR. The driver was taken into custody and transported to the detachment for testing.

As a result of this incident 28-year-old Benjamin LECUYER of Ottawa has been charged with the following CC, HTA, and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA) offences:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus
• Drive motor vehicle – perform stunt excessive speed
• Speeding 50+ Km/h over posted limit
• Drive motor vehicle – no currently validated permit
• Fail to have insurance card

On December 16, 2025, at 7:50 p.m., police observed an SUV strike a traffic light pole at the intersection of Petawawa Boulevard and Limestone Trail in Petawawa. The vehicle continued driving and was stopped at short distance away. No injuries were reported as a result of the collision. A Roadside Screening Device was utilized, and the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing. Test results were more than double the legal blood alcohol limit.

As a result of this incident 63-year-old Cheryl PENNELL of Petawawa has been charged with the following CC offences:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80mg plus

All accused individuals were released and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke in the New Year. The accused drivers also had their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and their vehicles were towed and impounded for seven days. 

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