On March 3, 2024 near 10:00 a.m. an officer from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment was patrolling on Highway 400, Severn Township in a police vehicle equipped with a Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) at which time the ALPR made notification of a possible suspended driver operating the SUV. A vehicle stop was made resulting in the officer upon speaking with the driver and entered into an drinking and driving investigation.
As a result of this investigation the driver of the SUV, Stephanie Coeck 44-years of Bala has been charged criminally with the following driving offences.
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Driving while under suspension contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
The accused was released from police custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on March 14, 2024, and faces a 90 day driver’s licence suspension along with a tow and impound invoice for seven days as per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines).
Recently, patrol officers were able to set up 12 Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at various roadway locations resulting in over 180 drivers being checked for signs of impairment.
Educating the public about safe driving, boating and ORV practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired operator on our roadways, waterways or trails please “Make the Call” and dial 911 as impaired driving never ends well, please make a plan to get home safely.
