THUNDER BAY – Impaired driving continues to be an issue hammering our city and region.
Yesterday, Thunder Bay Police Service officers with the Community Oriented Response (COR) Unit were in the area of Clarkson Street South just before 3:30 pm EDT when they saw a red pickup truck nearly cause a motor vehicle collision.
The near-collision occurred as the driver of the pick-up was attempting to make a left turn onto John Street.
A police officer initiated a traffic stop, but the driver of the pick-up truck ignored the police lights and siren. The pick-up continued to travel at a slow rate of speed on John Street and then turned onto Anten Street before complying with the police.
When officers approached the driver they noticed multiple signs of impairment. Police also learned the motorist was a suspended driver.
Police also found an open bottle of alcohol in the motorist’s driver’s side door.
A roadside breath test was administered, the results of which determined the driver likely was impaired by alcohol.
The driver was arrested and transported to the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters for further evaluation, which confirmed his blood alcohol concentration was above the legal limit.
A 41-year-old Thunder Bay man is charged with Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Alcohol and Drugs, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired Blood Alcohol Concentration.
He was released with conditions and a future appearance date.
