Officers of the Huntsville Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) are always looking for criminal driving behaviour.
On December 24, 2025 at 9:45 a.m. Huntsville O.P.P. officers were conducting a Festive R.I.D.E (reduce impaired driving everywhere) checkpoint when a vehicle approached. The lone occupant, a male identified as being from Huntsville, gave officers cause to believe him to be impaired by alcohol. The male was arrested for his impairment.
As a result of the investigation, Johnathan Howarth, 31 years old of Huntsville Ontario, has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
· Operation while impaired – alcohol / drugs
The accused was released and is to appear in January 2026 before the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge.
The accused was also issued a 90 Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and the vehicle was impounded for 7 days.
DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON LET’S ACT RESPONSIBLY
– DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE –
This event could have easily been avoided had the driver planned ahead before consuming alcohol or drugs.
Don’t include alcohol or drugs in any plans to drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or come up with another option that takes driving out of the picture altogether.
If you suspect impaired driving, please call 911. Keep our roads safe!
