NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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MIDLAND - Members of the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were tasked with investigating the following incidents of interest between Dec. 12 and 16 on area roadways in north Simcoe.
1) An OPP officer on patrol stopped a vehicle on Heritage Drive at Beamish Road in the Town of Midland at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 16 for a traffic violation. The investigation led the officer to charge the driver, Barry Wade, 42, of West Grey Township, with operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada. He will be appearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Jan. 30 and his vehicle was towed and impounded for 45 days under the conditions of the administrative driver's licence suspension.
2) While on traffic patrol on Highway 12 near Waubaushene, an OPP officer observed a vehicle heading east that appeared to be travelling at a rate of speed much greater than the posted limit. The officer was able to stop the vehicle and after speaking with the driver entered into a drinking and driving investigation. The lone 21-year-old male of Tiny Township was given a roadside screening device test, which resulted in an "alert" reading, and his driver's licence was immediately suspended for three days as per the conditions of the administrative driver's licence suspension.
3) OPP officers were dispatched at 7:46 a.m. on Dec. 13 to a report of a single tractor-trailer that had rolled over into the centre median of Highway 400 near Hidden Glen Road in Georgian Bay Township. Investigators learned of a mechanical malfunction that caused the crash, but upon completing their investigation did charge the driver, Muhammad Iqbal, 30, of Stouffville, with drive vehicle with cannabis readily available contrary to the Cannabis Control Act. Officers had one southbound lane in the area of the crash closed for 10 hours while crews worked on removing the truck and debris.
4) OPP officers on patrol were alerted to an aggressive driver that was last observed at 11:40 a.m. on Dec. 12 as it headed east on Heritage Drive from Simcoe County Road 93. Officers located a vehicle matching the provided description and stopped it at Heritage Drive and Wye Valley Road in the Town of Midland. The driver was spoken to by the officers, who concluded their investigation into the incident by charging the driver, Gab Golchuk, 24, of Penetanguishene, with driving while under suspension, compelling the driver to appear before the Ontario Provincial Offences Court in Penetanguishene at a future date. The driver was also arrested by the officers, who transferred his custody to another police service for their ongoing, unrelated investigation.
Police remind motorists that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways and trails. Educating the public about safe driving practices is a priority.
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