DRIVER FLED CRASH, ‘LEAVING PASSENGERS IN BURNING VEHICLE’
GEORGIAN BAY TWP. — An Orillia woman faces drunk driving charges after her car crashed into a rock cut and police allege she fled the scene leaving two passengers in a fiery wreck yesterday at noon.
Southern Georgian Bay OPP say they responded at 12:06 p.m. Aug.14, 2020 to a report of a single vehicle crashing into a rock cut on Muskoka Road 34 (Whites Falls Road) near John Buchler Road in Georgian Bay Township.
They say they found that the driver and a passenger had fled the scene, “leaving two passengers behind with the crashed and burning vehicle,” who were then triaged at the scene by County of Simcoe Paramedics and Georgian Bay Fire Service extinguished the car fire.
The driver and passenger were located nearby with the assistance of OPP Central Region K-9 unit and citizens.
Officers arrested the driver at the scene who was then transported to detachment for further investigation.
The three passengers were transported by County of Simcoe Paramedic Services to Georgian Bay General Hospital for treatment of their injuries and released.
Michelle Elizabeth Racioppa, 25, is charged with the following offences contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada:
- Operation causing bodily harm (three counts)
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Fail to stop at accident resulting in bodily harm
Her licence has been suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days as per the conditions of the Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension (ADLS).
Racioppa was released from custody on an undertaking to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Oct. 15, 2020.
Police say they appreciate the assistance of the public in the interest of public safety.
