POLICE BUSY WITH FLEEING VEHICLE OPERATOR, MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND 11 DRIVERS IN SOUTH MUSKOKA CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED IN JUNE
MUSKOKA — The OPP have charged a Bracebridge man after he fled from police in Muskoka Lakes Township last Friday.
On July 3, at 5:45 p.m., a south Muskoka officer was conducting general patrols in the area of Muskoka Road 118 near Pine Glen road in Muskoka Lakes Township and noticed some very concerning driving behaviour associated with an eastbound vehicle.
The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, however the driver fled at a high rate of speed. In the interest of public safety and the safety of other road users, the officer disengaged and did not pursue the vehicle.
The vehicle was located a very short time later in Port Carling and a traffic stop was successfully conducted, police arrested and charged 19-year-old Carlson Rogers, of Bracebridge, with:
- Dangerous Operation
- Flight from Peace Officer
- Stunt Driving
- Fail to Display two plates
Rogers is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge, on August 25, 2026.
11 drivers charged with impaired in June
At the end of June police charged four other drivers with impaired driving, bringing the total number of drivers charged last month to 11.
On Sunday, June 28, just before 1 a.m., an officer was conducting general patrol on Kanien’keha:ka lohatatie (formerly Muskoka Road 38), in Muskoka Lakes Township, and made a traffic stop to investigate a highway traffic act offense.
Thirty-nine-year-old Sheldon Sahanatien, of Bala, was charged with Operation while Impaired and Over 80.
Sahanatien is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on August 4, 2026.
Later that day, at 1:30 p.m., police responded to a traffic complaint from a member of the public who was concerned about some very aggressive driving on Taylor Road near Cedar Lane in Bracebridge.
The complainant said the other driver was throwing items out of their vehicle as well.
Officers located the vehicle and subsequently arrested and charged 30-year-old Chloe Campbell, of Sprucedale, with Operation while Impaired- Over 80 and having care or control over a motor vehicle with liquor readily available.
Campbell is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on August 11, 2026.
Still Sunday, June 28, at 6:45 p.m., an officer was doing speed enforcement on Highway 11 in Bracebridge and conducted a traffic stop to investigate a Highway Traffic Act offense.
Juan Orozco Lopez, 33, of North York, ON with:
- Impaired Operation- Over 80
- Speeding
- Class G1 licence holder- unaccompanied by qualified driver
- Novice driver- B.A.C. above zero
Lopez will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on August 11, 2026 to answer to his charges.
On Monday, June 30, at 1:45 a.m., police on general patrol on Muskoka Road 169 in Muskoka Lakes Township stopped another vehicle after witnessing concerning driving behaviour.
Joseph Daniel, 21, of Newmarket, was charged with:
- Operation while Impaired – Over 80
- Careless Driving
- Change lane not in safety
- Follow too closely
Lopez is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on August 4, 2026.
The OPP charged another driver after responding to a collision in Muskoka Lakes Township.
Three-vehicle collision Beaumaris Road
Back on Monday, June 22, at 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a three-vehicle collision that occurred on Muskoka Road 118 near Beaumaris Road in Muskoka Lakes Township.
One driver was reportedly driving in an unsafe fashion and struck another vehicle, which caused a secondary collision.
Fortunately, no one was injured.
Officers attended and subsequently arrested and charged 30-year-old Joshua Nugteren, of Welland, ON with the following:
- Operation while impaired (drug)
- Dangerous operation
- Operation while prohibited
- Fail to comply with undertaking
- Driving while under suspension
- Class G1 licence holder- unaccompanied by qualified driver
- Novice driver- presence of drug
Nugteren is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge, on July 21, 2026.
