Several Impaired Drivers

(NORTHUMBERLAND, ON) – With the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) Provincial Traffic Safety Program being a continuous initiative for Northumberland, people still are not getting the message of impaired driving.

On Saturday December 13, 2014 at about 9:50 pm officers observed a westbound 2014 Chrysler Town and Country minivan on Highway 401 at County Road 30 in the Municipality of Brighton that was exceeding the speed limit at 138 km/hour. The officers observed open alcohol in the van and continued their investigation into the four male occupants. The male driver was given a roadside screening device test for alcohol and transported to Brighton OPP for breath tests. As a result of a search of the van for more alcohol, officers investigated and found approximately 80 bottles worth of high end alcohol wrapped in newspaper hidden inside in various areas. The estimated value of the alcohol is $4,000 (attached photo of partial seizure)

Balakugan SINNATHURI, age 39 from Toronto, Ontario has been charged with the following offences:

Criminal Code

Care and Control of motor vehicle – over 80 mg
Fail to comply with probation order
Fail to comply with recognizance – 2 counts

Highway Traffic Act

Fail to surrender drivers license
Speeding – 138 km/hour in posted 100 km/hour zone

Liquor License Act

Having liquor in other than licensed premises, residence or private place
Consuming liquor in other than licensed premises residence or private place.

The accused was held for a video bail hearing on Sunday December 14, 2014. Officers are still investigating this incident regarding the alcohol aquisition.

On Sunday December 14, 2014 at about 8:13 pm an OPP officer was southbound on County Road 45 at Myers Road in Hamilton Township when a 2000 silver Honda travelling northbound cross the center line and narrowly avoid a head on collision with a southbound vehicle he was following. The officer turned around and stopped the Honda where he detected an odour of alcohol coming from the lone female occupant. The officer entered into an investigation and arrested the female for impaired driving. She was taken to Campbellford OPP Detachment for breath tests.

Judith YANKE, age 56 from Port Hope, Ontario has been charged with impaired operation and care and control of a motor vehicle – over 80 mgs under the Criminal Code. She was released on a promise to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on Wednesday December 24, 2014. She was also served a 90 day driver’s license suspension and the Honda has been impounded for seven days.

Northumberland OPP Detachment Commander Acting Inspector Rob KOBAYASHI would like to remind motorists that impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. “Our officers are out each and every day and night, all year in support of our community safety goals. ‎The fact that people continue to drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs is very unsettling but understands the proud women and men of the Northumberland OPP will continue to seek out those who choose to flaunt the system and put us all at risk. The fact a head on collision was avoided is attributed only to luck considering the potentially life threatening or fatal consequences that could have occurred”

Please drink responsibly. For more information on the dangers of impaired driving – go online to www.madd.ca or www.opp.ca

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