(FORT FRANCES, ON) – A proactive check of a parked vehicle discovered a driver impaired by drugs.
On April 14, 2023, at approximately 11:30 pm, an officer with the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) checked a parked vehicle idling in the Church Street area of Fort Frances. The officer observed drug use paraphernalia in plain view. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the driver for impaired operation. The driver was transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where a Drug Recognition Expert completed more testing.
A 43-years-old Fort Frances resident is charged criminally with one count of operation while impaired – drug. The involved vehicle was impounded for 7 days and the accused’s drivers licence was suspended for 90 days. The accused was released by police and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on May 29, 2023.
Police have the tools and training to detect drug impaired drivers. Drug impaired driving is a serious threat to road safety and carries the same penalties as alcohol impaired driving. If you see an impaired driver, call 911. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
