TWO-DAY SEARCH LANDS ‘IMPAIRED’ BOATER ON SEVERN RIVER

SEVERN TWP. — A two-day weekend search on the Severn River has landed a suspected impaired boater.

Provincial police at Orillia say they arrested and charged a Collingwood man with impaired operation of a vessel on the river yesterday.

They say that on June 20 OPP received two complaints regarding a vessel being operated by a male who was believed to be impaired on the Severn River.

Police patrolled extensively and were unable to locate the boat at that time.

But just before noon, yesterday, June 21, officers of the Orillia OPP Marine Unit observed the suspect vessel, stopped it and initiated an impaired operation investigation.

As a result, Matthew Hinton, 62, was arrested and charged with:

  • Operation While Impaired – Alcohol, contrary to Section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
  • Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus), contrary to Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code

Hinton was released on a Form 10 Undertaking to appear on July 14, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.

Orillia OPP’s marine unit tracked down a suspected impaired boater Sunday on the Severn River. After a two-day search a Collingwood man, aged 62, was arrested and charged.