On Monday May 4, 2020 just before 12:30 am, members from the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of dark coloured Honda four door sedan travelling westbound on Highway 401 near the Big Apple. The sedan was reported as being unable to maintain travelling in a marked lane.
Police located the sedan travelling on the right shoulder of the highway with four way flashers activated. Officers approached the vehicle once it was stopped and found four occupants within it including two infants safely secured in their car seats. After a conversation with the driver, the investigating officer suspected the driver had been consuming alcohol. The officer made an Approved Screening Device (ASD) Demand; however the driver refused to provide a suitable sample of breath into the ASD.
As a result, 35 year-old Pragaash PARARAJASINGHAM of North York, Ontario was arrested and charged with fail or refuse to provide a breath sample.
The accused drivers licence has been suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was towed and impounded. The passengers were transported from the scene by utilizing a local area taxi service.
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on June 24, 2020.
The Northumberland OPP would like to remind the public that failing to provide a suitable sample of breath upon an officers demand carries the same consequences as ‘Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs’, and ‘O p eration while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)’.
The OPP remains committed to enforcing impaired driving laws and educating road users about the dangers posed by motorists who drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers need to remember that any amount of alcohol or drugs can impair one’s ability to drive. Do your part in keeping our roads safe by planning ahead.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
