TWO IMPAIRED DRIVING CHARGES YESTERDAY AND ONE SUSPECTED LAST NIGHT
MUSKOKA — Two more people were charged yesterday with impaired driving and another possible suspect fled an accident scene that night as the number of similar summer incidents mounts.
On Tuesday, July 23, at 5 p.m. while on patrol on Muskoka Road 118 in Muskoka Lakes Township, an OPP officer conducted a traffic stop after observing the concerning driving behaviour of a person operating a Porsche.
Police arrested and charged 32-year-old William Gould, of Toronto, with Operation While Impaired CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b).
Gould is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on September 10, 2024 to answer to his charges.
Later in the night, at 8 p.m., officers began following up on reports from members of the community about a possible impaired driver in the area of Muskoka Beach Road in Gravenhurst.
A person was seen operating an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on the roadway without a helmet.
Police conducted a traffic stop arresting and charging 33-year-old Kristopher Kerrigan, of Gravenhurst, with Impaired Operation- Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b) along with two Off Road Vehicle Act offences.
Kerrigan is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on Aug. 27, 2024. to answer to his charges.
Drivers who are charged with impaired driving offences also suffer an immediate 90-day drivers licence suspension and have their vehicle impounded.
In between police were called after a driving complaint in Gravenhurst when a person drove into a road sign and fled.
The accident happened at 7:10 p.m., following calls from a member of the public about a possible impaired driver in the area of Muskoka Beach Road.
Witnesses described a light blue or grey BMW SUV with damage to the right front end and a flat rear tire that collided with a street sign near Brydon’s Bay Road, damaging the sign.
A concerned citizen attempted to check on the well-being of the female driver and she drove away, with the flat tire, travelling south on Muskoka Beach Road.
Police say it is the driver’s obligation, when involved in a collision, to remain at the scene of the collision and report it to police right away. The consequences for Failing to Remain, upon conviction, may include a fine of up to $2.000, 7 demerit points and a driver’s licence suspension.
If the investigation reveals alcohol or drugs as a contributing factor, criminal charges may be considered as well.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You may also submit a tip online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.
Also, on July 22 police charged another person with impaired driving offences after responding to a traffic complaint on Hwy. 11 south in Bracebridge.
At 6:15 p.m. officers responded to concerns from members of the public about the driving behaviour of southbound vehicle.
Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop near Cedar Lane and arrested and charged 52-year-old Tony Altenburg, of Oro-Medonte, with Operation While Impaired CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b).
Altenburg is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on Aug. 20, 2024 to answer to his charges.
