Police briefs
Observers of an overdose may hesitate to call 911 in fear of police involvement, if they are in possession of drugs themselves. To encourage people to seek life-saving assistance, the OPP is reminding citizens of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (GSDOA). In 2017, the law was enacted to encourage people to seek help, and to stay with friends while they wait for an ambulance to arrive. I Information about the GSDOA can be found by visiting: www.opp.ca/overdose and OPP social media accounts.
The GSDOA does provide protection against charges for:
· Possessing drugs for your own use
· Violating conditions of your parole, bail, probation or conditional sentence for a simple drug possession charge
The GSDOA does not provide protection against charges for:
· Trafficking illegal drugs
· Offences other than drug possession
· Any outstanding arrest warrants
· Violating conditions of your parole, bail, probation or conditional sentence for an offence that is not simple possession
Opioid overdoses continue to claim the lives of thousands of people across Ontario and Canada. The statistics and numbers below do not capture the profound distress being felt by those impacted.
Facts:
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In 2019, 3,823 lives were lost in Canada due to opioid related overdoses
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In 2019, more than 21,000 suspected opioid-related overdoses occurred in Canada
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In the last three years there has been an 81% increase in suspected opioid occurrences in OPP jurisdiction alone
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Since September 2017, the OPP has saved 170 lives by administering naloxone to overdose victims
“The Ontario Provincial Police recognizes the importance of saving lives and has embedded the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act into our policies and procedures. We encourage members of the public to educate their family and friends on why they should always call 911 if they suspect an overdose. By doing so, you could help save a life,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique
(KENORA, ON) Members of the Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial (OPP) received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Ninth Street North and Artillery Way. The complaint was reported at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020.
Upon further investigation, police learned that a male pedestrian was struck by a pick- up truck. The male was transported to the hospital and was later pronounced deceased.
The OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators (TTCI) and the Forensic Identification Unit are assisting with the investigation.
The identity of the pedestrian is being withheld at this time until next of kin can be notified. The investigation is continuing.
THUNDER BAY WOMAN CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED DRIVING
(THUNDER BAY, ON) – On August 28, 2020 at approximately 6:30 p.m. officers of the Thunder Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called to investigate a motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles at Highway 11-17 (Thunder Bay Expressway) at Oliver Road.
Four people were taken for medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
As a result of the investigation, a 23 year-old woman from Thunder Bay, has been charged with:
1. Operation while impaired
2. Having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood
3. Operation causing bodily harm
The vehicle was impounded by police. The accused is scheduled to attend at the Ontario Court of Justice on October 20, 2020 to answer to the charges.
If you have been consuming intoxicating substances, do not get behind the wheel of any vehicle.
FATAL UTV COLLISION
(THUNDER BAY, ON.) -On August 27, at approximately 7:45pm officers of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Thunder Bay detachment responded to a report of a fatal utility terrain vehicle (UTV side by side) collision on Onion Lake Dam Rd, Gorham Twp.
OPP attended the scene along with paramedics and confirmed the person to be deceased. The OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Unit (TTCI) attended and the cause of the collision is still under investigation.
The lone operator of the UTV has been identified as Emile Jean, 60 years of age of Gorham Twp, Ontario.
(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch (ARB) has charged two residents of London following an investigation into irregularities under the Municipal Elections Act.
In August of 2019, the OPP received a request for assistance from the London Police Service. The request was in relation to recent allegations of third party advertising violations in the 2018 City Council election.
As a result of the investigation, the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch have charged the following citizens contrary to the Municipal Elections Act:
· A 56 year-old London man for Failing to register as a third party advertiser
· and a 60 year-old London man, for Failing to identify himself on election campaign advertising
The accused are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 824 Dundas St., London – Provincial Offences Court, on September 28, 2020.
(RED LAKE, ON) – On August 24, at approximately 11:47 p.m., officers from the Red Lake & Ear Falls Detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised of a motor vehicle that had struck a Moose on Highway 105, within the Township of Ear Falls.
The vehicle was located & through investigation it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The officer made a demand for an approved screening device breath sample. The driver failed, was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation a 20 year-old Ear Falls woman, was charged with:
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1x Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
She was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on October 15 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
That following day, on August 25, 2020 at approximately 8:39 p.m., officers from the Red Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised of a traffic complaint on Highway 105, within the Municipality of Red Lake.
The vehicle was located & through investigation it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The officer made a demand for the driver to complete a Standard Field Sobriety Test. The driver performed poorly, was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation a 21 year-old Red Lake man, was charged with:
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1x Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
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1x Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
He was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on October 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
Motorists who drive impaired by alcohol or drugs are subject to drivers licence suspensions, fines, vehicle impoundments, criminal records and increased insurance costs. Please drive responsibly, don’t drink and drive.
The OPP is committed to safety for all who utilize Ontario’s roadways. Members of the public are urged to report Impaired Driving by calling 911 in emergency situations. Complaints of impaired, aggressive or careless driving can also be made by calling 1-888-310-1122.
OPP INVESTIGATE DEATH IN NIPIGON
(NIPIGON, ON) – On August 23, 2020, at approximately 3:46 am officers of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Nipigon Detachment were called to investigate an incident at Stillwater Park on Highway 11-17. Police arrived and located an unresponsive male. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The deceased has been identified as Seth Dionne (32 years of age) of Thornbury, Ontario. The body will be transported to the Office of the Chief Coroner and Forensic Pathology Service (OCC-OFPS) in Toronto where a post mortem examination will take place on August 26, 2020
A 30 year-old of Collingwood woman has been arrested and charged with Dangerous Operation causing death.
The accused attended bail court at the Ontario Court of Justice and was remanded into custody until Wednesday, August 26, 2020.
The North West Region Crime Unit, Technical Collision Investigators and Forensic Identification Services is continuing this investigation under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).
Any person with information regarding this investigation should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or access their website at: http://www.p3tips.com/273 where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
