Novice driver crashes after fleeing RIDE stop

BRACEBRIDGE — An fleeing Orillia man has been charged with impaired driving after a traffic stop.

The driver fled a RIDE stop but was arrested after crashing.

Provincial police were conducting a RIDE program at Highway 11 North and Highway 118 in Bracebridge on Thursday March 15, 2018 at 3 p.m. 

They say a vehicle approached the check point and during the interaction, officers determined that it was necessary to enter into a further investigation relating to alcohol.

The driver was directed to pull to the side of the road at which point he sped away.

Officers followed the vehicle as it headed toward the town of Bracebridge on Ecclestone Drive and continued onto Wellington Street where ultimately the suspect vehicle struck another vehicle that had stopped on the side of the road.

The fleeing driver exited his vehicle and was arrested by police.

As a result of the investigation, police have charged 47 year-old Derek Lewis with the following offenses:

Flight from Police CC 249.1(1)

Driving While Ability Impaired CC 253(1)(a)

Over 80 CC 253(1)(b)

Dangerous Operation CC 249.1(1)

Driving with Open Liquor LLA 32(1)

Novice Driver B.A.C above zero HTA 44.1(3)

Fail to Stop for Police HTA 216

He was held for a bail hearing and was to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on Friday, March 16, 2018 to answer to his charges.

Anyone with information is asked to please call Bracebridge OPP at (888)310-1122 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.