RED LAKE – Police in Red Lake were busy over the past several days rounding up impaired drivers. A number of the impaired charges were made because of citizen’s notifying the OPP of suspected impaired drivers.
Red Lake Police Busy with Impaired Driving Offences
On July 17th, 2020 at approximately 1:40 am CDT, officers from the Red Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised of a traffic complaint and a possible impaired driver within the Municipality of Red Lake.
The vehicle was located & through investigation it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The driver was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation a male, 24, of Red Lake, was charged with:
- 1x Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, contrary to Section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
- 1x Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
He was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on September 17th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
Update: The charges were withdrawn by the Crown on September 17, 2020.
Again on July 17th, 2020 at approximately 6:09 pm CDT, officers were advised of a traffic complaint and possibly impaired driver within the Municipality of Red Lake.
The vehicle was located & throughout the investigation, it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The officer made a demand for an approved screening device breath sample, and the driver failed. The driver was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation Arthur HEGLAND, 74, of Red Lake, was charged with:
- 1x Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, contrary to Section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
- 1x Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
He was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on September 17th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
Impaired Boating
On that same day, on July 17th, 2020 at approximately 9:34 pm CDT, officers were advised of a possibly impaired vessel operator on the waterbody of Red Lake.
The vessel was located & throughout the investigation, it was determined that the operator had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The officer made a demand for an approved screening device breath sample & the operator failed. The operator was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation Jared GUSTAFSON, 21, of Red Lake, was charged with:
- 1x Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
He was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on September 17th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
Then, the following day, on July 18th, 2020 at approximately 10:01 pm CDT, officers from were conducting general patrol within the Municipality of Red Lake.
A traffic stop was initiated for a Highway Traffic Act violation & throughout the 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. The driver was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation John FRIESEN, 32, of Langley British Columbia, was charged with:
- 1x Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
He was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on September 17th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
On July 19th, 2020 at approximately 8:04 pm CDT, officers were advised of a driver littering from their vehicle within the Municipality of Red Lake.
The vehicle was located & a traffic stop was initiated. Throughout the investigation, it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The officer made a demand for an approved screening device breath sample and the driver failed. The driver was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation Matthew BENNETT, 38, of Red Lake, was charged with:
- 1x Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code;
He was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on September 17th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
Motorists who drive a vehicle, or operate a vessel 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.
