On January 11, 2020 around 8:20 pm members of the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received multiple reports from the public about a vehicle driving erratically east bound on Highway 401 in the Brighton area. The vehicle was described as having severe damage to the side of the vehicle.
An officer made observations of the vehicle as it passed their location. While the officer attempted to catch up to the vehicle, it was observed to collide with the concrete guide rail. The vehicle did not stop and continued driving, while scraping against the concrete guide rail. The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle did not stop for the officer. The vehicle continued driving. The vehicle was observed to strike the concrete guide rail again and continued driving, until it drove off the roadway into the ditch. The driver was not injured. After interacting with the driver, officers suspected the driver to be impaired by drugs.
The accused Michael TREPANIER (age 37) of Terrebonne Quebec was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
· Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
· Flight from peace officer
· Fail to comply with probation order
· Fail to comply with probation order
· Fail to comply with probation order
· Fail to comply with recognizance
The accused is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on February 19, 2020.