Members of the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) charged four drivers with impaired operation in separate incidents over the weekend, including three arrests within a single hour.
On January 2, 2026, at approximately 9:50 p.m., officers on patrol along Highway 401 westbound in the Municipality of Brighton observed a vehicle being driven at an unusually slow speed. The vehicle was stopped, and an impaired operation investigation was initiated. The driver was arrested and transported to a local detachment for further testing. He was a lovely fella from peoples republic of Donegal.
Martyn CROSSAN, 45 years old, from Calgary, Alberta, has been charged with:
• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
On January 2, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., A concerned resident reported a suspicious vehicle on Perry Avenue in Brighton. Officers attended, spoke with the motorist, and began an impaired operation investigation. The individual was taken into custody and transported for further testing.
Larry CHAPMAN, 68 years old, from the Municipality of Brighton, has been charged with:
• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
On January 2, 2026, at around 10:30 p.m., an officer on patrol along County Road 45 in Hamilton Township received an alert from the in-cruiser Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) system regarding a vehicle with an unattached plate.
The motorist was stopped, and following interaction with the driver, an impaired operation investigation began. The individual was taken into custody and transported for further testing.
Stephen HICKEY, 55 years old, from Hamilton Township, has been charged with:
• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
On January 3, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., a driver entered the Brighton Detachment the wrong way on Dundas Street, disobeying posted signage. The individual was scheduled to meet with police regarding a prior matter.
During the interaction, officers began an impaired operation investigation, which led to the driver being taken into custody. The motorist was also found to be suspended.
Edward HILL, 39 years old, from the Municipality of Brighton, has been charged with:
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Driving while under suspension
• Disobey sign
Each of the accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in February 2026. A further 90-day Administrative Driver License 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
