Two Orillia men are among six people charged with impaired-related offences by the Orillia OPP over the last seven days.
It started in the wee hours of April 13 when an officer conducting "proactive patrol" observed a vehicle driving erratically in the area of Mississaga Street West.
According to a media release, the officer stopped the vehicle at 3:45 a.m. and determined the driver was impaired by alcohol. Megan Cousins, 18, of Barrie was charged with operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) and operation while impaired — alcohol and drugs.
Later that day, officers on "proactive patrol" in the Laclie Street area "observed a vehicle travelling on a closed portion of the road" under construction.
"The vehicle was stopped by police and the investigation led police to suspect the driver was impaired by drugs," notes the media release.
The driver, Donald Richardson, underwent a drug recognition evaluation and failed. As a result the 53-year-old Orillia man was charged with operation while impaired — alcohol and drugs and possession of a Schedule 1 substance (methamphetamine)
On April 14, at about 2:56 a.m., another Orillia man was nabbed in the Colborne Street East area.
"A vehicle in the area was observed to be driving poorly and as such was stopped by police for further investigation," notes the media release.
The driver underwent a drug recognition evaluation and failed. It was also determined the driver was driving while prohibited. As a result, Jason Gethons, 44, from Orillia, has been charged with operation while impaired — alcohol and drugs and operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code.
Later the same day, at about 2:36 p.m., officers from Orillia OPP were dispatched to an Orillia hotel regarding a guest who was no longer welcome to stay there.
Officers arrived and helped mediate the situation and the individual packed his belongings to depart the hotel.
"It was observed by the officers that the individual was impaired by drugs and despite direction by police not to drive his vehicle, the individual got in the vehicle and attempted to close the door," notes the media release.
Police stopped the man and "promptly arrested" him. Brett Supinski, 28, from Loyalist Township has been charged with operation while impaired — alcohol and drugs
Two days later, at 3:24 p.m. on April 18, Orillia OPP officers were dispatched to a traffic complaint where it was reported a pick-up truck was travelling at a high rate of speed while southbound on Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte Township.
About 10 minutes later, a citizen reported the same vehicle was in the ditch on 15/16 Sideroad. Officers attended and the driver was found to be impaired and was then arrested.
As a result, Nicholas De Faria, 29, from Bradford has been charged with operation while impaired — alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).
Finally, on Saturday at about 3:55 p.m., Orillia OPP officers were dispatched to a collision on Highway 400 northbound near Vasey Road in Severn Township.
It was reported that a pick-up truck had rolled over onto its roof; Simcoe County Paramedics who were in the area were at the scene moments later. It was reported that the driver got out of the vehicle and was asking for a piece of gum from others on scene.
Police attended and arrested the driver after determining they were impaired by alcohol. A passenger in the vehicle was transported to Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.
Cameron Kilpatrick, 29, from Midland has been charged with operation while impaired — alcohol and drugs, two counts of operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code and fail to comply with a probation order.
All persons in these unrelated investigations are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia to answer to the charges at a later date in May and June, notes the media release.
As a result of these charges each of their driver's licences has been suspended for 90 days, and their vehicles have been impounded for seven days.
