The Quinte West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid four separate impaired driving charges over a busy winter storm weekend.
On Friday February 14, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Quinte West OPP officers were conducting speed enforcement on Glen Miller Road, in the City of Quinte West. They stopped a vehicle for stunt driving, driving more than 100-kilometres per hour in a posted 60 zone. The investigation resulted in the driver being arrested and transported to the detachment for testing.
Joseph LAFRANCE, 28-year-old from Quinte area, has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
· Operation while impaired – alcohol
· Drive motor vehicle – perform stunt – excessive speed
· Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville at a future date. Additionally, the vehicle was impounded for 14 days and their licence was suspended for 90 days.
On Friday February 14, 2025, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Quinte West OPP officers conducting traffic enforcement when they stopped a vehicle on Old Highway 2, in the City of Quinte West. Police stopped the vehicle after the cruiser’s Automated Licence Plate Recognition system detected a suspended driver. Through the officer’s investigation, the driver was arrested and transported to the detachment for testing.
Douglas KELLY, 32-year-old from Quinte area, has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
· Operation while impaired – alcohol
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville, at a future date. Additionally, the vehicle was impounded for seven days, and their licence was suspended for 90 days.
On Saturday February 16, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Quinte West OPP officers were dispatched to a vehicle in a ditch on Frankford Road, in the City of Quinte West. Police attended and located the vehicle and the driver. As a result of the investigation, and the driver was transported to the detachment for testing.
Michael GAYTON, 53-year-old from Quinte area, has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
· Operation while impaired – alcohol
· Resist peace officer
· Operate a motor vehicle without insurance
The accused party were released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville, at a future date. The vehicle was impounded for seven days, and their licence was suspended for 90 days.
On Saturday February 16, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Quinte West OPP officers were dispatched to a report of a possible impaired driver. Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. When police approached the vehicle and observed the driver climb into the back seat. The driver was arrested and transported to the detachment for testing.
Justine IRVINE, 43-year-old from Quinte area, has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – alcohol
· Failure or refusal to comply with demand
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville, at a future date. Additionally, the vehicle was impounded for seven days, and their licence was suspended for 90 days.
If you suspect that someone is driving or about to drive impaired, call 9-1-1 and report it. You could save a life.
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
