Skip to content

Three drivers charged at RIDE checks

Police checked 1,214 vehicles in north Simcoe between Jan. 23 and 27
02MAR17 ELGIN PHOTO
File photo courtesy of OPP

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
MIDLAND — Members of the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted 25 RIDE program check stops between Jan. 23 and 27 on roads and trails in north Simcoe.

Officers checked 1,214 vehicles and drivers on area roadways along with 54 snowmobiles checked at trailside in an effort to reduce the incidence of impaired driving mishaps.

Thirty-six drivers provided breath samples on the roadside screening device with a pass result, five drivers registered a "warn" result and their drivers licences were suspended (ADLS) for three days, and three drivers failed the roadside screening device and were investigated further as follows at detachment for drinking and driving offences.

Officers on patrol were also busy issuing provincial offences notices to two drivers for driving with cannabis readily available, two drivers for driving with a hand-held device and a stunt -riving charge of 132 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on County Road 93 near Mertz's Corners in Tiny Township.

Drinking and driving investigations

1) OPP officers were conducting a RIDE check stop on Highway 12 between Rumney Road and Talbot Street Tay Township on Jan. 25 when they encountered a suspected drinking driver at 11:18 p.m. A roadside screening device test was administered resulting in a further investigation back at detachment for the driver. As a result of this investigation, Michelle Diane Vanderhart, 36, of Penetanguishene has been charged with the following charges contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

  • Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
  • Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

and further served provincial offences notices for

  • Novice driver - B.A.C. above zero
  • Driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available

The involved vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days and the accused's driver's licence has been suspended for 90 days under the conditions of the administrative driver's licence suspension. The accused was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Feb. 6.

2) OPP officers were conducting a RIDE check stop on Bay Street between Third and Fourth streets in the Town of Midland on Jan. 25 when they encountered a suspected drinking driver at 8:13 p.m. A roadside screening device test was administered resulting in a further investigation back at detachment for the driver. As a result of this investigation, Michael Marchildon, 23, of Midland has been charged with the following charges contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

  • Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
  • Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

The involved vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days and the accused's driver's licence has been suspended for 90 days under the conditions of the administrative driver's licence suspension. The accused was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Feb. 6.

3) OPP officers were conducting a RIDE check stop on Lafontaine Road between Rue Lafontaine and Robert Street West in the Town of Penetanguishene on Jan. 24 when they encountered a suspected drinking driver at 11:01 p.m. A roadside screening device test was administered resulting in a further investigation back at detachment for the driver. As a result of this investigation, Michael Shaw, 50, of Barrie has been charged with the following charges contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

  • Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
  • Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

The involved vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days and the accused's driver's licence has been suspended for 90 days under the conditions of the  administrative driver's licence suspension. The accused was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Feb. 6.

OPP officers always appreciate calls from the public to alert them of a possible impaired driver on the roadway as an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways and trails by working with our community members.

*************************