(BAYHAM, ON) – The Elgin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), St. Thomas Detachment arrested an impaired driver at a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checkpoint.
On June 29, 2024, members of the Elgin OPP were conducting a RIDE checkpoint on Nova Scotia Line near Chatham Street, Municipality of Bayham. At approximately 10:05 p.m., police stopped a passenger vehicle and checked for driver sobriety.
While speaking to the driver, the investigating officer observed a cannabis cigarette within the vehicle, detected signs of alcohol consumption, and administered a roadside approved screening device (ASD) test, registering a failure. The driver was taken into custody and transported to the Elgin OPP St. Thomas Detachment for further testing.
The investigating officer also discovered an additional quantity of cannabis within the vehicle.
As a result of the investigation, Ronald ALLENSEN, 70-year-old from Port Burwell was charged with the following:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
· Possession of over 30g dried cannabis (or equivalent) in a public place
· Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
A 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension (ADLS) and a seven-day Vehicle Impoundment was initiated as per statute.
The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Thomas on August 13, 2024.
The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Report impaired drivers. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
