Officers from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment were kept busy over March 14-17, 2024 with traffic related incidents on Detachment patrolled roadways.
Impaired Drivers Investigated
Officers conducting a reduce impaired driving everywhere (R.I.D.E.) program on Heritage Drive at Wye Valley Road, Midland checked the driver of a passing through vehicle for signs of impairment near 11:50 p.m. March 15, 2024 and entered into a drinking and driving investigation. As a result, Wayne Balkwill 60-years of Toronto has been charged criminally with Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs and further with Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).
A report of a vehicle being operated erratically in the Heritage Drive and King Street, Midland area caused officers to attend the area at approximately 11:17 p.m. March 14, 2024 who quickly located the suspect vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The driver was spoken to and arrested and investigated for drinking and driving offences.
Officers have charged Doreen STEVENSON 63- years of Oshawa criminally in relation to this investigation with the offences of Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs and further with Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) and Dangerous operation.
Both accused persons were released from custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on March 28, 2024, served a 90 day driver’s licence suspension and the involved vehicles were towed and impounded for seven days in accordance to the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines.
Serious Vehicle Crash Investigations
Investigators were dispatched at approximately 11:41 a.m. March 17, 2024 to a vehicle crash and roll-over in the ditch of Highway 12, Tay Township. As a result of the crash investigation the 21-year old (uninjured) male driver of Midland has been charged with the following offences – Class G1 licence holder – unaccompanied by qualified driver, Careless driving, Use plate not authorized for vehicle, Class G1 licence holder – carry front-seat passenger, Operate unsafe vehicle all contrary to the Highway Traffic Act and further with Operate a motor vehicle without insurance contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.
Officers were also dispatched at approximately 6:53 p.m. March 13, 2024 to a single vehicle fatality on Simcoe County Road 27 in Tiny Township that was previously reported on March 14, 2024, which sadly claimed the life of a 31-year-old Tay Township male. The cause of that crash is still under investigation and investigators ask that anyone who may have witnessed the actions of the involved vehicle, a white Mini Cooper while east bound on Simcoe County Road 27 prior to the crash or of the crash itself or has dashcam video to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or opp.southern.georgian.bay@opp.ca.
