NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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BRACEBRIDGE - Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were conducting a RIDE program at Highway 11 North and Highway 118 in Bracebridge on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 3 p.m.
A vehicle approached the check point and during the interaction, officers determined that it was necessary to enter into a further investigation relating to alcohol. The driver was directed to pull to the side of the road at which point he sped away.
Officers followed the vehicle as it headed toward the town of Bracebridge on Ecclestone Drive and continued onto Wellington Street where ultimately the suspect vehicle struck another that had stopped on the side of the road. The driver exited his vehicle and was arrested by police.
As a result of the investigation, police have charged 47-year-old Derek Lewis of Orillia with the following offenses:
- Flight from Police CC 249.1(1)
- Driving While Ability Impaired CC 253(1)(a)
- Over 80 CC 253(1)(b)
- Dangerous Operation CC 249.1(1)
- Driving with Open Liquor LLA 32(1)
- Novice Driver B.A.C above zero HTA 44.1(3)
- Fail to Stop for Police HTA 216
He was held for a bail hearing and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on Friday, March 16, 2018 to answer to his charges.
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