NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
******************************
A uniform officer from the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded at 8:35 p.m. March 17, 2021 to a report of a possible impaired driver called into the OPP Communications Centre by a concerned citizen.
The officer observed and began to follow a vehicle matching the description heading west bound on Heritage Drive in the Town of Midland. The vehicle then pulled into the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment parking lot off of Heritage Drive and was spoken to by the officer. The officer, after speaking with the driver, arrested the driver and continued the investigation inside the detachment.
As a result of the investigation Darcy Leo Lauria, 35, of Barrie, has been charged with the following driving offences contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
• Failure or refusal to comply with demand, and further with the offence of
• Mischief - obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property after the accused damaged government property while in custody at the detachment.
The accused was released from police custody on an undertaking to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on April 1, 2021. The involved vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days and the accused's driver's licence has been further suspended for 90 days under the conditions of the administrative drivers licence suspension (ADLS).
OPP officers during the March 17-19, 2021 time frame conducted six RIDE check stops throughout the detachment patrol area, checking 89 drivers and vehicles with no impaired drivers observed at these check stops.
Police remind motorists that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our trails, roadways and waterways. Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired driver or operator please "Make the Call" and dial 911 and help prevent a crash.
******************************
