As part of their annual RIDE campaign, Greater Sudbury Police spent Dec. 26 and 27 performing checks for impaired drivers, resulting in three arrests and the search for one person who blew right through the checkpoint.
A release from police states that over the two days, officers stopped 466 vehicles, administered 14 Approved Screening Device test (comprehensive breathalyzer-style tests, usually performed at the station), 57 Mandatory Alcohol Screening tests (also known as a roadside breath test), two Standard Field Sobriety tests and four Drug Recognition Evaluations.
One driver also failed to stop, which the release states was the fourth fail-to stop incident since the campaign launched in November.
Police are reporting the first arrest came Boxing Day, Dec. 26, officers were conducting a RIDE check on Regent Street at Ramsey View Court when a dark-coloured pickup truck sped through the checkpoint, narrowly avoiding a vehicle that had stopped for officers. Officers on foot directed the driver to pull over, but the vehicle continued driving erratically and nearly left the roadway.
Due to concerns for public safety, officers did not pursue the vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing to identify the driver.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact police at 705-675-9171.
Also on Boxing Day, an off-duty officer on his commute to work observed “a vehicle being driven erratically” states the release. The off-duty officer called 9-1-1, which dispatched officers to locate the vehicle and confirm the reported erratic driving before initiating a traffic stop on Kathleen Street.
“Upon speaking with the driver, officers detected signs of impairment and observed multiple containers of alcohol in plain view,” said the release. “The driver was arrested for impaired operation and transported to police headquarters, where she registered more than twice the legal limit. The 32-year-old woman has been charged with two counts of impaired operation, one for alcohol and drugs, the other for a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80 mg/100mL.
She was released with a court date of January 21.
Then on Dec. 27, officers conducting a RIDE check on Lorne Street stopped a vehicle where the driver was acting, you guessed it, “erratically”. The driver then provided a false identity and was arrested for Obstruct Peace Officer.
Turns out there was a reason for the fake name. Police said a database search revealed the driver was prohibited from driving and was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant for an impaired driving incident on November 7.
“A search of the vehicle incident to arrest uncovered drug paraphernalia,” states the release. “Based on the driver’s behaviour and the items found, officers formed reasonable grounds to believe the driver was impaired by drugs.”
The driver was transported to police headquarters, where a Drug Recognition Expert confirmed impairment by drugs.
The 44-year-old man has been charged with: impaired operation, obstructing a peace officer and driving while under suspension. He attended bail court the same day to answer to the charges.
And if one fake name wasn’t enough, how about a driver refusing to provide a driver’s license, and offering police “multiple birthdates.”
On Dec. 27, officers conducting a RIDE check on Frood Road at Burton Avenue stopped a vehicle and requested identification. “The driver refused to provide a driver’s licence and gave multiple birth dates, failing to properly identify himself.”
Another charge for obstructing a peace officer, but then, a search of the driver and vehicle revealed 7.5 grams of suspected cocaine, a digital scale, and drug paraphernalia. Police also determined the driver was “bound by a probation order with conditions prohibiting him from operating a motor vehicle and possessing controlled substances,” states the release. “Officers formed reasonable grounds to believe the driver was impaired by drugs.”
The driver was transported to police headquarters, where a Drug Recognition Expert confirmed impairment by drugs.
A 47-year-old man John Markell has been charged with:
- Obstruct Peace Officer
- Impaired Operation
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Drive While Under Suspension
- Two counts of Breach of Probation Order
He attended Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on December 28, to answer to the charges.