NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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ORO-MEDONTE and RAMARA – The Orillia detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged three drivers with Impaired Operation on Valentine's Day in the Townships of Oro-Medonte and Ramara.
In the early hours of Feb. 14, 2021, shortly before 6 a.m., officers were notified of a collision involving a single vehicle on Concession Road 7, Ramara. It was reported that the driver was unconscious behind the wheel. Upon arrival, officers found the driver conscious and responsive and were given cause to begin an impaired driving investigation while County of Simcoe Paramedic Services (CSPS) attended to the driver for minor injuries. Officers also learned that the suspect was a prohibited driver.
As a result, Johnathan Schell, age 22, of Uxbridge Township, has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code
The accused was released on a Form 9 Appearance Notice and is set to appear on April 20, 2021, at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.
Shortly after 8:30 a.m., the same morning, officers were notified of another single vehicle collision, this time on Ridge Road, Oro-Medonte. Again, it was reported that the driver was unconscious behind the wheel. Officers arrived and found the driver awake and uninjured and quickly formed grounds to arrest her for impaired driving. The driver was transported to the Orillia OPP detachment for further investigation where she was uncooperative with the qualified breath technician.
As a result, April Mechel, age 35, of Barrie, has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
The accused was released on a Form 9 Appearance Notice and is set to appear on April 20, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.
A third single vehicle collision was reported to the Orillia OPP shortly before 5 p.m. on Line 15, Oro-Medonte involving a car in the ditch. When officers arrived, they spoke with the driver and determined that there had been no injuries but immediately began an impaired driving investigation.
The driver was subsequently arrested and transported to the detachment for further investigation. While there, the driver became assaultive with police and caused damage to property.
As a result, Hannah Lindgren, age 28, of Bracebridge, has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Dangerous operation
- Assault a peace officer
- Resist peace officer
- Mischief - destroys or damages property
The accused was released on a Form 10 Undertaking and is set to appear on April 27, 2021, at the Ontario court of Justice, Orillia.
Impaired driving remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan to not drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or come up with another plan that takes impaired driving out of the picture.
The Orillia OPP would like to thank everyone who share the responsibility of keeping our roads, trails and waterways safe by reporting impaired drivers. We are committed to serving our province, including the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn and the City of Orillia, by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety.
If you have any information about crime in our community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or report minor occurrences online by visiting www.opp.ca/reporting. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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