Cochrane man charged with impaired, dangerous driving after hitting hydro pole

Some not getting the message on impaired driving Since the start of the Festive RIDE campaign in mid-November provincial police in our region have charged 87 people with impaired driving.

A 24-year-old Cochrane, Ont., man is charged with impaired and dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident and having an open container of liquor in the car following a crash last Friday.

Black Ford with front end damage after accused imp Black Ford with front end damage after accused impaired driver hit hydro pole in Cochrane, Ont. April 26, 2024 (Ontario Provincial Police)

It all started with police receiving several calls about an "erratic driver" hitting a hydro pole, then leaving his bumper behind at the scene shortly after 8:30 p.m. April 26, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release.

A 911 call reported the suspected impaired driver on Third Street East in Cochrane followed by two more calls about the same vehicle, police said.

"Police located the subject vehicle and driver a short time later and determined that the driver had been consuming an alcoholic beverage," OPP said.

"The driver was arrested and transported to the Iroquois Falls detachment for further testing."

Photos of the suspect's black Ford released by police show front-end damage, the driver's side airbag deployed inside and several liquor bottles on the floor of the passenger side.

As a novice driver, he has been charged for having a blood alcohol concentration above zero and was found to have a level above 80.

Interior of vehicle impounded by accused impaired Interior of vehicle impounded by accused impaired driver in Cochrane, Ont. April 26, 2024 (Ontario Provincial Police)

He was released and is scheduled to appear in court May 28.

The accused has had his licence suspended for 90 days and his vehicle impounded for seven.

"If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 911 to report it," police said.

Black Ford impounded by accused impaired driver Black Ford impounded by accused impaired driver in Cochrane, Ont., who hit a hydro pole. April 26, 2024 (Ontario Provincial Police)