Motorist charged with impaired driving after crashing into snowbank

Efforts to reduce impaired driving in the northeast seem to be working in some communities – provincial police say stats are still high.

A 28-year-old has been charged with multiple impaired driving offences after a single-vehicle crash in Kirkland Lake last month.

On Feb. 23 at about 12:20 a.m., Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision at the intersection of Duncan Avenue and Government Road.

“The subject motor vehicle was located off the roadway lodged on top of a snowbank,” OPP said in a news release.

Upon speaking with the driver, police determined that he had consumed an alcoholic beverage.

“The driver was arrested and transported to the Iroquois Falls OPP detachment for further testing,” said police.

As a result of the investigation, the male Sudbury driver has been charged with two impaired driving offences – including having a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80.

In addition to the charges, the accused also had their licence suspended for 90 days and is scheduled to appear in court on March 20.

The vehicle involved was also impounded by police for seven days at the owner’s expense.

“Drivers are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving,” OPP said in the news release.

“Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, impaired is impaired and driving under the influence of either is a criminal offence.”

Provincial police also urged the public to call 911 and report it should they suspect that someone is driving while impaired.