Seven Impaired Driving Charges Laid by Prince Edward OPP in November

Date: November 27, 2023

Prince Edward County OPP have laid charges in seven separate impaired driving investigations over the course of November, continuing a year that has already seen a sharp increase in impaired driving enforcement.

Police report that nearly 70 impaired driving charges have been laid so far in 2023, compared with 54 charges during all of 2022.

The investigations stemmed from a series of incidents across the County, including single-vehicle collisions, traffic complaints, and proactive patrol stops on roads such as Loyalist Parkway, County Road 1, Highway 62, and within Picton.

Among the incidents:

• A rollover collision on Loyalist Parkway on Nov. 24 resulted in minor injuries and impaired driving charges against a 28-year-old from Quinte West, including impaired operation, over 80, and dangerous driving.

• A single-vehicle crash on County Road 1 on Nov. 23 led to charges against a 42-year-old Prince Edward County resident, including impaired driving and possession of a Schedule III substance.

• A traffic stop on Highway 62 on Nov. 20 resulted in impaired driving charges against a 28-year-old from Napanee.

• A proactive stop on Loyalist Parkway on Nov. 18 led to charges against a 33-year-old County resident, including impaired driving and speeding.

• Officers responding to a parked vehicle in Picton on Nov. 11 charged a 23-year-old from Deseronto with refusing a screening demand and having alcohol and cannabis readily available in a vehicle.

• A traffic complaint on Farrington Crescent in Picton on Nov. 10 resulted in charges against a 17-year-old, including impaired operation and underage consumption of alcohol. The youth’s identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

In several cases, suspected drugs were seized, including psilocybin and cannabis.

All accused individuals were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on various dates in December. In accordance with impaired driving laws, all vehicles were impounded for seven days, and drivers’ licences were suspended for 90 days.

Police continue to remind the public that impaired driving remains a leading cause of serious collisions and encourage residents to report suspected impaired drivers.