Every year, hundreds of Canadians are killed, and thousands are injured in alcohol, cannabis and/or drug-related crashes. Long weekends, often marked by celebration and connection, are also among the most dangerous times on our roads. For those who have lost loved ones or suffered life-changing injuries, Easter celebrations can be a painful reminder of what has been taken away.

“We all have a role to play in preventing impaired driving,” said MADD Canada National President Tanya Hansen Pratt, whose mother, Beryl, was killed by an impaired driver in 1999. “Whether you’re hosting, attending, or just out on the roads this Easter, your choices matter. Let’s work together to make this long weekend safe for everyone.”

To ensure everyone gets home safely, everyone can do their part:

• Always plan ahead so you know how you are getting home safely;
• Never drive a car, snowmobile, ATV or any other vehicle while impaired;
• Never get into a vehicle being operated by someone who is impaired;
• Call 911 if you see a driver you suspect is impaired.

Those looking for a sober and reliable ride home at the push of a button can check out Uber, MADD Canada’s Official Designated Rideshare APP. Visit https://www.uber.com/ca/en/ for more information.

The post MADD Canada Calls For Safe Choices To Prevent Impaired Driving This Easter Long Weekend appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Saturday March 22, 2025, just after 3:00 a.m., a Bracebridge OPP officer was conducting proactive patrols in Bracebridge and stopped a vehicle on Highway 11 South near Cedar Lane. The officer soon commenced an impaired driving investigation and subsequently arrested and charged the driver, a 16-year-old Bracebridge youth with Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand CC 320.15(1). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice- Youth Court- in Bracebridge on April 3, 2025 to answer to his charge.

Additionally, the passenger, an 18-year-old Burks Falls man, was charged with a Liquor Licence and Control Act offence for consuming liquor under 19-years of age.

A criminal charge of refusal or failure to comply with a demand in relation to an impaired driving investigation carries the same consequences as an impaired driving/over 80 charge in the Province of Ontario. The accused has had their drivers license suspended for 90-days and their vehicle impounded for 7 days.

If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, you may call 9-1-1 from your hands free device.

The post Bracebridge Youth Charged With Impaired Related Offense appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Friday March 21, 2025, just before 11:00 p.m., a Bracebridge OPP officer was conducting proactive patrols in the town of Gravenhurst and became concerned about the driving behaviour of a motorist on Winewood Avenue. The officer followed the vehicle onto Bethune Drive and then Industrial Drive, attempting to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle eventually came to a stop near a residence on Forest Glen Drive and the officer arrested the driver. Police have charged 23-year-old Dylan HOLDER of Orangeville, ON with the following:

• Operation While Impaired CC 320.14(1)(a)

• Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b)
• Dangerous Operation CC 320.13(1)
• Flight From Peace Officer CC 320.17
• Having Care or Control of a Motor Vehicle with Open Container of Liquor LLCA42(1)(a)

• Disobey Sign HTA 182(2)

He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on April 22, 2025 to answer to his charges. Furthermore, the accused’s drivers license has been suspended for 90-days and their vehicle impounded for 7 days.

If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, you may call 9-1-1 from your hands free device.

The post Driver Charged With Impaired And Other Driving-Related Charges in Gravenhurst appeared first on Muskoka411.

On January 4, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m. members of the Almaguin Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a complaint of a possible impaired driver on Ontario Street, Burks Falls. Officers located the vehicle and further investigation led to the driver being arrested for impaired operation.

As a result of the investigation, Timothy ROUBLE, 54 years-of-age of South River, was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Operation while impaired – alcohol

The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sundridge on February 20, 2025. The accused was also issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers License Suspension (ADLS), and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The OPP remains committed to keeping Ontario’s roads safe. If you suspect impaired driving, call 9-1-1.

The post Impaired Driving Charges Laid After A Traffic Complaint In Burks Falls appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Thursday August 24, 2023, just after 10:30 a.m. police were called by a resident on Muskoka Road 169 in Muskoka Lakes Township reporting that someone had been in a collision on their lawn and then fled the scene. The same vehicle was called in a short time later, stopped on the roadway.

Police arrived and subsequently arrested and charged 35-year-old Taylor Scott of Lindsay, ON with:

• Operation While Impaired
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance
• Having Care or Control of a Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available

He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on October 3, 2023 to answer to his charges.

The post Collision On Muskoka Road 169 Leads To Impaired Charges appeared first on Muskoka411.

On July 21, 2023, just after midnight, officers from Orillia OPP responded to an area Provincial Park, in Ramara Township for reports of a male driving while intoxicated. Officers patrolled the area and located a vehicle matching the description and were led to an impaired operation driving investigation.

As a result, Thomas Trevayne, 30-year-old, from Whitby has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired-alcohol
• Operation while impaired- blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia, to answer to the charges at a later date in August 2023. As a result of these charges, his driver’s licence has been suspended for 90 days, and vehicle impounded for a period of 7 days.

Members of Orillia OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you suspect someone is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol call 9-1-1. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.crimestopperssdm.com.

The post Orillia OPP Arrest A Driver With Over Three Times The Legal Limit appeared first on Muskoka411.

At approximately 3:46 p.m. July 20, 2023 an off-duty OPP officer contacted the OPP Communication Centre to report a possible impaired driver after witnessing the erratic operation of a vehicle as it interacted with other vehicles on roadways in the area of Concession Road 16, Tiny Township. The responding officer located the suspect vehicle with the assistance of the caller in the driveway of a residence on Farlain Road, Tiny Township.

The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to Detachment for further investigation which resulted in Kalan Hamilton 41 years of Barrie being charged with the following criminal code offences.

• Dangerous operation
• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Failure or refusal to comply with demand
• Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code
• Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court (two counts)

The accused was held for a bail hearing and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice  at a future date. The accused also faces a 90 day drivers licence suspensions as per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines as well the vehicle was towed and impounded for 45 days.

Shortly before the previous investigation another OPP officer made a stop of a vehicle that appeared to be well above the posted speed limit nearby on Concession Road 16 East, Tiny Township at approximately 4:58 p.m. July 20, 2023. The officer spoke to the driver and entered into an impaired driving investigation resulting in Roman Kulesza 66 years of Tiny Township being charged with the following criminal code offences.

• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

And Further

Speeding 1 – 49 Km/h over posted limit contrary to the Highway Traffic Act

The accused was released from police custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice  on August 10, 2023. The accused also faces a 90 day drivers licence suspensions as per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines as well the vehicle was towed and impounded for 14 days.

Officers responded to several calls from community members of a possible impaired driver passed out in the parking lot of the Village Square Mall, Penetanguishene at approximately 9:33 p.m. July 18, 2023. The responding officer after a brief investigation at the scene arrested the driver and entered into a impaired operation investigation summoning the assistance of an OPP officer trained as a drug recognition expert (DRE).

As a result of this investigation Luke Albert Hamelin 40 years of Tiny Township has been charged criminally with the following offences.

• Operation while impaired – drugs
• Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was prohibited or restricted weapon
• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
• Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court (two counts)

The accused remains in custody awaiting a bail custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice . The accused also faces a 90 day drivers licence suspensions as per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines as well the vehicle was towed and impounded for 14 days.

Educating the public about safe boating practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired operator on our waterways please “Make the Call” and dial 911 as impaired driving never ends well, please make a plan to get home safely.

The post Southern Georgian Bay OPP Lay Charges After Conducting Three Impaired Investigations appeared first on Muskoka411.

On June 26, 2023, just after midnight, members of the Bancroft OPP conducted a traffic stop on Monck Street in the Town of Bancroft.

As part of the investigation the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing. As a result of the investigation, 60-year-old Alexander Whalen of Renfrew Ontario was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code, and provincial offences:

• Operation while impaired.
• Operating a conveyance while having over 80 mgs of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
• Draw trailer, no permit,
• No red light on rear of trailer, and
• Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bancroft on July 18^th, 2023.

The accused’s driver’s license was suspended for ninety days, and the vehicle towed and impounded for seven days.

The post Traffic Stop Leads To Impaired Charges In Bancroft appeared first on Muskoka411.

Between May 30, 2023, and June 1, 2023, officers from the Orillia detachment of the OPP were dispatched to multiple traffic complaints and conducted regular traffic patrols within the City of Orillia and surrounding townships. Members of the community called the provinces emergency service numbers to report high speed drivers and erratic driving on the province’s highways and the area’s roadways. As a result, 14 charges were laid over the two days by responding officers. Two males and two female drivers were arrested and charged. Four vehicles were impounded, and the drivers’ licences were suspended.

As a result, Melanie Armstrong, 22 years old, of Wasaga Beach, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired- alcohol
• Operation while impaired – 80 plus
• Drive motor vehicle – no licence
• Having care or control of motor vehicle with open container of liquor
• Speeding 1-49 km/h over posted limit

Braden Cameron, 32 years old, of Toronto, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired- alcohol
• Operation while impaired – 80 plus

Carole Parker, 58 years old, of Gracefield, Quebec, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired- alcohol
• Operation while impaired – 80 plus
• Drive motor vehicle – no licence

And, Travis Pigeau, 44 years old, of Orillia, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired- alcohol
• Operation while impaired – 80 plus
• Drive motor vehicle – while under suspension
• Drive – hand-held communication device.

Motorists are asked to prioritize safety on our roads by slowing down, driving safely, cautiously, and never drive impaired.

Members of Orillia OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you suspect someone is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol call 9-1-1. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.crimestopperssdm.com.

The post Orillia OPP Lay Multiple Impaired And Driving Related Charges appeared first on Muskoka411.

On March 19, 2023 at 7:15 a.m. a call was made to police after a person realized that their work vehicle was stolen while they were out on foot conducting maintenance work on Muskoka Road South in Gravenhurst. A very short time later, a member of the public called police to report a possible impaired driver in that same stolen vehicle at a service station south on Highway 11 South, south of Gravenhurst. The vehicle struck an unattended vehicle in the parking lot before continuing south on Highway 11. Police located the vehicle nearby in the area of Picard Lane where they were able to conduct a traffic stop and subsequently arrested and charged 34-year-old Brandon Tonna of Gravenhurst with:

• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Flight from Peace Officer
• Operation While Impaired
• Failure to Comply with Demand
• Fraud Under $5,000
• Highway Traffic Act offenses

The accused will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on May 9, 2023 to answer to his charges.

The post Gravenhurst Man Charged With Impaired After Stealing A Truck appeared first on Muskoka411.