The Peterborough County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have made five separate arrests related to impaired driving over a three-day period.
On April 12, 2024, just after 5:00pm, a Peterborough County OPP officer conducted a traffic stop on County Road 45 in the Township of Asphodel-Norwood for a Highway Traffic Act infraction. The officer approached the vehicle and began speaking with the driver. While speaking with the driver, the officer read the driver the Approved Screening Device (ASD) demand, the driver provided a sample of their breath and as a result was arrested.
Eric CHARBONNEAU (age 42) of Warkworth, ON, was arrested and charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused had their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and vehicle impounded for seven days.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on May 14, 2024.
On April 12, 2024, at approximately 10:30pm, the Peterborough County OPP responded to a report of a single motor vehicle in the ditch that was reported on Fallis Line in Selwyn Township. The vehicle left the roadway driving across the front lawn of a residence, narrowly missing striking the house. The driver made attempts to drive off the lawn only to create deep ruts and getting the vehicle stuck in the ditch. The driver, realizing that the vehicle was now stuck, fled the scene prior to police arrival. Officers arrived on scene and after patrolling the area, located the driver walking a short distance away. While officers spoke with the driver, an odour of alcohol was detected as well as signs of impairment. As a result of the investigation, the driver was arrested.
Andy VARDON-ELEMENT (age 28) of Peterborough, ON, was arrested and charged with:
· Operation while impaired – alcohol
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused had their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and vehicle impounded for seven days.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on June 4, 2024.
On April 13, 2024, just shortly after 3:30pm, Peterborough County OPP officers were called to a business in Havelock after a bystander observed a vehicle that had struck the building while attempting to park. The driver was located unconscious in the vehicle. Police, Fire and EMS were dispatched to the location to ensure the well-being of the driver. Officers arrived on scene and quickly observed signs of impairment as well as an odour of alcohol coming from the breath of the driver. The driver was transported to hospital to attend to some minor injuries and was arrested.
Debra LEVERE (age 64) of Havelock, ON, was arrested and charged with:
· Operation while impaired – alcohol
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused had their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and vehicle impounded for seven days.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on May 14, 2024.
On April 14, 2024, just after 2:30am, Peterborough County OPP officers received a call in relation to a single motor vehicle collision that occurred on County Road 8 in Douro-Dummer Township. A passerby advised that they had seen the damaged vehicle and approached it only to find the driver unconscious behind the wheel. It was at that point they call 911. Peterborough County OPP officers arrived at scene to find a heavily damaged vehicle that had gone off the road possibly flipping multiple times prior to coming to a stop on all four wheels. Officers spoke to the now conscious driver and quickly observed signs of impairment as well as an odour of alcohol coming from the breath of the driver. As a result of their investigation, the driver was arrested.
Dawson ENGLISH (age 20) of Asphodel-Norwood, ON, was arrested and charged with:
· Operation while impaired – alcohol
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
· Having Care or Control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor
· Novice Driver – B.A.C. above zero
· Possess more than one licence
The accused had their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and vehicle impounded for seven days.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on June 4, 2024.
On April 14, 2024, just prior to 8:00pm, Peterborough County OPP officers conducted a traffic stop on Poplar Plains Drive in the Cavan-Monaghan Township. Upon speaking with the driver officers detected possible signs of impairment. Officers read the driver the Approved Screening Device (ASD) demand, the driver provided a sample of their breath and as a result was arrested.
Eric SORENSEN (age 35) of Cavan-Monaghan Township, ON, was arrested and charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused had their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and vehicle impounded for seven days.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on May 21, 2024.
The Peterborough County OPP reminds motorists to plan ahead when consuming alcohol or drugs. Use a designated driver, cab, public transit, or stay overnight. Any amount of alcohol or drugs can impact your ability to make sound judgements.
To serve our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety.
Peterborough County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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
