The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged four motorists with impaired operation in unrelated incidents over the weekend. Notably, three of the four arrests occurred within a 24-hour period
On August 16, 2025, at around 12:45 a.m., police received a traffic complaint regarding a pick-up truck unable to maintain its lane travelling on Highway 401 eastbound in the Municipality of Port Hope.
Members from the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) stopped a vehicle matching the description provided and following speaking to the driver, officers entered an impaired operation investigation. As a result, the motorist was arrested and transported to a local detachment for further tests.
Gary BROWN (48) from Port Hope, has been charged with:
– Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
– Operation w hile impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in September.
On August 16, 2025, shortly after 8:30 p.m., a caller reported a possible impaired driver on Masters Road in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.
Officers later located a pickup truck matching the description provided on Taylor Road. The single occupant appeared to be sleeping and following being woken up and interacting with police, an impaired operation investigation began. The driver was taken into custody and transported to a local detachment for further tests.
As a result, Shaelene MCINNIS (58) from Port Hope, has been charged with:
– Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
– Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court o f Justice in Cobourg in September.
On August 16, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m., OPP responded to a report of a driver alleged to be yelling at residents and driving while impaired on Hillside Camp Drive in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.
Officers then stopped the vehicle, and the driver exited the vehicle to confront police before they were taken into custody for impaired operation and transported to a local detachment. Avenues of investigation revealed that the motorist was suspended from driving.
Patrick BLACKBURN (40), from the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, has been charged with:
– Dangerous operation
– Operation while prohibited
– Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
– Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
– Driving while under suspension
– Drive motor vehicle, fail to display two plates
– Use plate not authorized for vehicle.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in September.
On August 18, 2025, at around 2:40 a.m., OPP were on patrol on King Street East in the Township of Cramahe, when they observed a passenger vehicle unable to maintain its lane before mounting the sidewalk and back onto the roadway.
The vehicle was subsequently stopped, and the officer observed four children in the rear seat along with an adult passenger in the front. All passengers were not wearing their seatbelts.
Upon speaking to the driver, police entered an impaired operation investigation. The motorist was then taken into custody and transported to a local detachment for further tests.
A 28-year-old male, from Whitby has been cha rged with:
– Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
– Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
– Careless driving
– Drive without proper rear light – motor vehicle
– Novice driver – B.A.C. above zero
– Class G2 licence holder – more passengers than seat belts
– Class G2 licence holder – excess passengers under 20
– Drive while child passenger not properly secured – four counts
The accused shall not be named to protect the identity of the young persons. The individual is due to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in September.
For each of the accused, a further 90-day Administrative Dr iver Licence Suspension (ADLS) and a 7-day vehicle impound was initiated as per statute.
If you know or suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1. In doing so, you may save a life. Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, impaired is impaired and driving under the influence of either is a criminal offence. If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan to not drive.
Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or come up with another plan that takes impaired driving out of the picture.
Learn more about the consequences and penalties of driving impaired at: Impaired driving|ontario.ca
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
