THREE IMPAIRED DRIVING CHARGES YESTERDAY IN BALA, GRAVENHURST AND BRACEBRIDGE

MUSKOKA — All this snow is attracting snowmobilers, which in one case has led to an impaired driving charge against an Iroquois Falls man last night as impaired driving continues to be a significant factor affecting the safety of everyone travelling on Muskoka roads and trails.

Police report that while many residents in Muskoka cope with the challenges related to the ongoing winter storm the OPP have charged three drivers in separate incidents in one day with impaired driving.

On Dec. 8 just before 1 a.m. officers were conducting general patrol in the area of Steamship Bay Road in Gravenhurst when they became concerned about the driving behaviour of a truck pulling a trailer carrying snowmobiles.

The officers stopped the vehicle and charged 22-year-old Calob Marshall, of Iroquois Falls, with Impaired Operation CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b).

Marshall is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge January 7, 2025.

About the same time in Bala, officers there began an investigation into a single motor vehicle collision on Dudley Road, in the Muskoka Lakes Township community, after a car left the roadway and became stuck in a snowbank.

Luke Mangotich, 25, of Burlington, was charged with Impaired Operation CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b).

Mangotich, too, is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge January 7, 2025.

Later that same day, at 7:00 p.m., police responded to concerns from members of the public about what was described as the unsafe driving behaviour of a vehicle on Highway 118 East in Bracebridge.

Officers located the vehicle and began an investigation before charging 21-year-old Sartaj Singh, of Brampton, with Impaired Operation-by Drug CC 320.14(1)(a) and Drive Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available CCA2017 12(1).

Singh is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge January 14, 2025.