FOUR DRIVERS CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED DURING MUSKOKA HOLIDAY WEEKEND — INCLUDING ONE TODAY WHO HIT HYDRO POLE
MUSKOKA — Police in Bracebridge charged two drivers with impaired driving during the holiday weekend.
On Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 11:10 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a concern from a member of the public about the condition of a driver travelling south on Highway 11 from Huntsville.
Officers located the vehicle on Bonnie Lake Road in Bracebridge and subsequently arrested and charged the driver, 37-year-old Wesley Michael, of Bracebridge, with Operation while Impaired and Over 80.
Michael is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on December 1, 2026.
On Tuesday, October 13, at 5:30 a.m., officers, along with Muskoka EMS, responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Highway 118 East near Hawn Road, after the involved vehicle left the roadway and struck a hydro pole.
The driver was transported to hospital with minor injuries.
And police have charged 44-year-old Colin Gale, of Bracebridge, with:
- Operation while Impaired, Over 80
- Driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available
- Driving motor vehicle with cannabis readily available
- Possession of Schedule III substance.
Gale is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on November 24, 2026.
Two drivers in Huntsville charged
On Friday, October 9, 2026, at approximately 7:20 p.m., officers received a traffic complaint regarding a driver at a business on King William Street in Huntsville. Officers located the vehicle in the drive-thru of the business and entered an impaired driving investigation.
As a result of the investigation Catherine Campbell, 72 years old of Huntsville, was charged with: Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
Then on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at approximately 12:30 a.m., police doing traffic enforcement on Highway 11 in the area of Greer Road, stopped a northbound vehicle that was observed travelling160km/hr in a posted 100km/hr zone.
Officers also subsequently entered an impaired driving investigation.
As a result, Naresh Govindaraj, 34, of Etobicoke, was charged with:
Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
Drive motor vehicle – perform stunt – excessive speed
Govindaraj’s driver’s licence was suspended for 30 days and the vehicle was impounded for 14 days.
The two accused are to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on Tuesday November 10, 2026.
The OPP reminds motorists to plan ahead if they choose to consume alcohol or drugs. Consider using a designated driver, taxi, public transit, or staying overnight. Any amount of alcohol or drugs can impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
