(ESSEX COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) dealt with four separate incidents of people operating motor vehicles after having consumed alcohol this past weekend.
On October 30, 2015, OPP officers were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) initiative on Erie Street North in Leamington. Within 30 minutes of each other, two people were arrested for driving with more than 80 milligrams of blood alcohol content.
In the first instance, a male driver and sole occupant of a Pontiac approached the RIDE stop and exhibited signs of impairment. He was issued a Roadside Screening Device Demand, which he “failed”. He was arrested and charged with Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content.
Manuel CARDOSO, age 49 of Leamington, will appear in a Leamington court on November 19, 2015 to answer to the charge.
Just minutes later, a silver Toyota approached the RIDE stop and the female driver exhibited signs of impairment. Empty beer bottles were also located within the vehicle.
She was issued a Roadside Screening Device Demand, which she “failed”. She was arrested and charged with Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content.
Keisha WILLIAMS, age 37 of Toronto will appear in a Leamington court on November 19, 2015 to answer to the charge.
On October 31, 2015 at approximately 7:35 p.m., OPP officers in Lakeshore observed a white Pontiac minivan on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 near Tilbury, facing westbound. The officer observed the driver to be slumped over the steering wheel and when he approached the vehicle, it then tried to drive away. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle exhibited signs of impairment. After a brief scuffle, the driver was arrested.
Juan KLASSEN, age 37 of Tilbury was charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content. He will appear in a Windsor court on November 18, 2015 to answer to the charges.
On November 2, 2015 at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers were travelling to an emergency call on Essex County Road 34 in Lakeshore. A Pontiac failed to pull over for the emergency vehicles and was subsequently pulled over for that offence. The driver exhibited signs of alcohol consumption and was issued a Roadside Screening Device Demand. He registered and “Alert” and was issued a 3 day licence suspension.
Essex County OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Glenn MILLER states; “This past weekend members of Essex County OPP dealt with four individuals for impaired driving. Despite the best efforts of the police, certain people continue to operate their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. If you are such a person who is disregarding the law and by doing so placing the public and ultimately yourself in harm’s way, I give you this warning. There is no second chance for your actions and in our continued effort to ensure safe roadways, trails and waterways, the tolerance level is zero. This is a statistic that we should not have to be reporting on each week, however we are.
It’s regrettable, but for some people they have to get caught before they understand the lifelong impact of their actions. I hope you have never been impacted by the actions of a drunk driver, but speak to an OPP member who regrettably is dealing with this criminal offence every day. I encourage the public never to hesitate in contacting the police if you suspect that an individual is driving impaired or about to. We have a number of skilled breathalyzer technicians waiting to see these people.”