Drunk Matthew DeJong Rear-ends Other ATV – One Airlifted To London – Multiple Charges Laid

(MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) On Friday April 06, 2012, shortly before 7 p.m., Perth County OPP officers in West Perth were dispatched to a serious collision involving two ATV’s on Line 28 near Road 179 (south west of Mitchell).

Investigation revealed that an ATV, being operated by a 46 year old female resident of the Municipality of West Perth had been driving east bound on Line 28 at a moderate speed, with a 38 year old female passenger, also from West Perth, seated on the back of the machine. A second ATV driven by a male party was traveling east bound on Line 28 at a high rate of speed; it drove into the rear of the slower machine causing both of the riders on the first machine to be thrown to the ground.

Both females sustained injuries and were transported to Seaforth Hospital. The female driver was later transported to Stratford General Hospital while the female passenger was airlifted to Victoria Hospital in London. None of the injuries sustained were deemed to be life threatening.

The male who had been operating the second ATV displayed signs of impairment at the scene. He was arrested and transported to the Perth County OPP Detachment in Sebringville where he failed two Intoxilyzer breath tests. Matthew DeJong (26) of the Municipality of West Perth has been charged with “impaired driving cause bodily harm” and “exceed 80 mg blood alcohol content / motor vehicle/ cause accident with bodily harm”. He is scheduled to appear in Stratford Court on May 14, 2012 to answer to these charges. He was also issued a 90 day driver’s licence suspension and his ATV was impounded for 7 days.

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