The Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested a handful of impaired drivers over the weekend.
On June 13, 2024, at 4:00p.m., Orillia OPP responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Wallis Street, in Oro-Medonte Township. Officers attended and located the vehicle and driver. An open container of alcohol was observed in the vehicle and the driver was showing numerous signs of being intoxicated.
As a result, Christopher Wilson, 48-year-old of Severn Township has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
- Breach of Probation Order (POA)
- Fail to identify self
- Driving while under suspension
- Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor
The accused was held for a bail hearing and later released with a future court date.
On June 15, 2024, after 2:00 a.m., officers of the Orillia OPP were conducting a RIDE program in the City of Orillia. A vehicle approached the RIDE program, did not follow basic instructions of a RIDE program, and the driver of the vehicle displayed numerous signs of being intoxicated.
As a result, Kevin Backwell, 27-year-old of Nassagaweya Township has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired- blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired- alcohol
The accused was released on an Undertaking with a future court date.
On June 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., an officer of the Orillia OPP was on general patrol in the area of Highway 11 and Line 10, Oro-Medonte Township when a vehicle was obviously travelling above the posted speed limit. Speed enforcement equipment was utilized, and the vehicle was found to be travelling at stunt driving speeds. A traffic stop was initiated. Upon speaking with the driver, open containers of alcohol and cannabis were observed. This caused the officer to enter into an impaired driving investigation.
As a result, Daniel Thomas, 45-year-old of the City of Orillia has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired- alcohol and drugs
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance- Cocaine
- Drive motor vehicle with open container of liquor
- Drive motor vehicle with cannabis readily available
- Drive motor vehicle- Perform Stunt
- Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit
- Operate motor vehicle without insurance
The accused was held for a bail hearing.
On June 16, 2024, at 11:30 p.m., officers of Orillia OPP were conducting speed enforcement on Highway 11 North, in Oro-Medonte Township when a vehicle was observed obviously travelling above the posted limit. Speed enforcement equipment was utilized, determined the vehicle was in fact speeding and initiated a traffic stop. The driver displayed numerous signs of being intoxicated.
As a result, Brent Moon, 50-year-old of Oro Medonte Township has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired- blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired- alcohol
- Speeding 1-49 km/h over the posted limit
The accused was released on an Undertaking with a future court date.
On June 18, 2024, just before 2:00a.m., Orillia OPP received a traffic complaint for a possible impaired driver. Officers attend and located the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, they were showing numerous signs of being intoxicated.
As a result, Justin Karjalainen, 41-year-old of the City of Barrie has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired- blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired- alcohol
The accused was released on an Undertaking with a future court date.
All the accused party’s driver’s licences were suspended for 90 days, and vehicles were impounded for a period of 7 days.
The Orillia OPP reminds motorist to plan ahead when consuming alcohol or drugs. Use a designated driver, cab, rideshare, public transit or stay overnight. Any amount of alcohol or drugs can impact your ability to make sound judgements. In a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you.
