Rainy River, ON – September 23, 2024 – In the early hours of September 22, 2024, officers from the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted two separate traffic stops resulting in impaired driving charges.
At approximately 1:28 a.m., OPP officers stopped a vehicle on River Avenue in Rainy River. Following the investigation, it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcohol. The driver, identified as Alesia Ellis, 40, of Fort Frances, was arrested and taken to the detachment for further tests. Ellis has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
Ellis was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Rainy River on October 24, 2024.
Later that same morning, at approximately 2:49 a.m., OPP officers stopped another vehicle on Highway 11-71 in the Township of La Vallee. After further investigation, the driver, Zoe Namaypoke, 32, of Fort Frances, was also found to have consumed alcohol. Namaypoke faces multiple charges, including:
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- Novice driver blood alcohol concentration above zero, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
- Having care or control of a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor, contrary to the Liquor License Control Act
Namaypoke was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on November 4, 2024.
The OPP reminds the public that impaired driving poses a serious risk to the safety of everyone on Ontario’s roads. Residents are encouraged to report impaired driving by calling 911 in an emergency or reporting dangerous driving to 1-888-310-1122.
