The Sault Ste. Marie detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police charged three drivers with impaired on Friday, April 4.
A total of six criminal offences were laid on the drivers.
“At approximately 10:23 a.m., a Sault Ste. Marie OPP officer was conducting general patrol on Spring Street in Sault Ste. Marie, when their Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) system alerted them to a possible stolen vehicle,” the OPP said in a news release.
“A traffic stop was conducted, where the officer determined the vehicle was not stolen, but the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages.”
Lisa McCormick, 42, of Batchewana First Nation was arrested and charged with:
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
McCormick is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on May 12 in Sault Ste. Marie.
She was issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
At approximately 9 p.m., a Sault Ste. Marie OPP officer was patrolling Highway 17 in Goulais River, when they observed a motor vehicle that failed to turn off its high beams when passing the police cruiser, obstructing the officer's view.
A traffic stop was conducted, and investigation determined the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages. As a result, Justen Joseph, 38, of Goulais River was arrested and charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Dangerous operation
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on April 21, in Sault Ste. Marie.
“The accused was issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days,” the release said.
Roughly a half hour later, Sault Ste. Marie OPP officers were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere checkpoint on Lake George Road in Laird.
Officers stopped multiple vehicles and conducted Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) tests on the drivers. “During the RIDE, one driver failed the MAS test, indicating the presence of alcohol in their system. As a result of further investigation, Robert Deschamps, 62, of Laird was arrested and charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on April 21, in Sault Ste. Marie.
“The accused was issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days,” the release said.
None of the accusations have been tested in court and each accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol and drug-impaired drivers off our roads through public education and enforcement. If you suspect someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, please call 9-1-1.