On October 27, 2024, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Highway 11, Armour Township after observing a vehicle travelling at 41 kilometers over the posted speed limit.
Upon speaking with the driver, police determined they had consumed alcoholic beverage. The driver was arrested and transported to a nearby detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Cody Birkmyre, 30 years of age of Port Colborne, was charged with:
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
- Stunt Driving – Excessive Speed
- Driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available
- Driving motor vehicle with cannabis readily available
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on November 14, 2024, in Sundridge.
The accused was also issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension (ADLS), and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
Under the Criminal Code, refusal to comply with a lawful demand to provide breath sample or submit to a Drug Recognition Evaluation (DRE) without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence, carrying the same penalties as impaired driving.
