(HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ON) – Members from the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested an individual after a vehicle fled the location of a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) check point.
On Saturday February 20, 2021, at approximately 3:45 am, officers were conducting a RIDE spot check in the area of County Road 45 north of Dale Road. A red Nissan four door sedan was stopped at the check point. A roadside demand was given and the officer directed the driver pull off to the side of the road in order to conduct the roadside test into Approved Screening Device (ASD). The driver quickly fled the location before the test could be conducted.
Investigation led police to an address in Cobourg, where William MCGOVERN (age 19) of Cobourg Ontario, was arrested and charged with:
· Failure or refusal to comply with demand
· Flight from peace officer
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on a date in April 2021.
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 ‘Operation 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.