During a recent 25-hour period, Orillia OPP officers charged four drivers with impaired driving in four separate incidents.
It started early in the morning of July 30, when officers, at about 9 a.m., discovered a female slumped over the wheel of a vehicle on Matchedash Street North. After rousing the woman, officers noticed an infant in the rear of the vehicle.
Police contacted family members who were able to come and take custody of the one-year-old.
Police also located a prohibited, edged weapon in the vehicle.
As a result of the investigation, a 26-year-old female from Severn Township has been charged with impaired driving, failure or refusal to comply with a demand, abandoning a child and unauthorized possession of a weapon.
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia on a future date. Her name is being withheld to protect the identity of the infant.
Later on July 22, at 8:15 p.m., Orillia OPP responded to single motor vehicle collision on Brodie Drive, where a vehicle left the roadway.
Upon arriving at the scene, the driver assaulted the officer as they were being arrested for impaired driving, says a media release from the Orillia OPP.
Police also located psilocybin and a large quantity of cannabis in the vehicle. The driver was transported to a nearby police service to be assessed by a drug recognition expert (DRE).
As a result of the investigation, Hayley Rowan, 28, of Waterloo, has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired - blood drug concentration
- Assault with intent to resist arrest
- Possession of a Schedule III substance
- Possession over 30g of dried cannabis in a public place
- Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available
- operate motor vehicle no insurance
- Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia, on Aug. 23.
Less than 90 minutes later, at about 9:45 p.m. on July 30, Orillia OPP responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Highway 11 North in Severn, where a vehicle struck the guardrail.
Police responded quickly to the scene, as the vehicle was stuck in the live lane of the highway. Police arrested the driver, who was transported to the detachment for further investigation.
As a result of the investigation, Eileen Magee, 30, of Gravenhurst, has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, operation while impaired (alcohol and drugs) and operation while impaired (blood alcohol concentration above 80 mg)
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia, on Aug. 16.
The next day, on July 31, shortly after 10 a.m., Orillia OPP responded to reports that there were two occupants of a vehicle in a "downtown parking lot slumped over."
Police attended and roused both occupants who were subsequently arrested. The driver of the vehicle was transported to the detachment for further investigation.
As a result of the investigation, Cheryl Pawis, 43, of Orillia, has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired by alcohol and drugs
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Methamphetamine)
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Opioid other than Heroin)
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Cocaine)
All accused were also issued 90-day driver's licence suspensions and had their vehicles impounded for seven days.
"Orillia OPP remains steadfast in its response to removing impaired drivers from our roadways," notes a media release.
"Please take a cab or rideshare service, call a friend for a ride, or make safe alternative arrangements if you consume intoxicating substances. We encourage to motoring public to call police if you believe you observe someone driving impaired," said the release.
