Driver avoids deer, hits ditch, escapes fiery vehicle

HALIBURTON — A 23-year-old Barrie man who escaped a burning vehicle — after avoiding a deer and driving out of a ditch — faces impaired charges.

Provincial police in Haliburton say a vehicle fire in the Township of Dysart et al during the early morning hours of March 14 had emergency services responding to the area of Gelert Road and Birch Narrows Road shortly before 1 a.m.

The OPP and Dysart et al Fire Department attended the scene where the vehicle was fully engulfed.

The police investigation determined the driver of a Subaru Outback lost control trying to avoid a deer and entered the ditch.

However, they say the driver was able to drive his vehicle out of the ditch and continued a short distance on Gelert Road before the vehicle burst into flames.

The lone male driver was able to free himself from the vehicle.

There were no injuries reported.

As a result of the investigation, Christian McOuat, has been charged with:

Driving With Over 80 mg of Alcohol in Blood contrary to section 253(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CC).

Novice Driver- BAC above zero contrary to section 44.1(3) of the HTA

The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden on May 2, 2018. He also received a 90 day driver’s licence suspension and a 7 day vehicle impoundment.