FORT FRANCES – Over the previous week, members of the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were hard at work keeping our roadways and communities safe by participating in R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) programs, and arresting and charging impaired drivers.
On September 12, 2018, at approximately 11:50 PM, a member of the Rainy River OPP conducted a vehicle stop in the Town of Rainy River. Through conversation with the driver, the officer determined that he had alcohol in his body. The driver was arrested and transported to the Rainy River OPP detachment, where he underwent further testing. As a result, Brent HELGESON, 61 years of age, of Rainy River has been charged with the following:
- Driving While Ability Impaired contrary to section 253(1)(a) of the Criminal Code,
- Driving Over 80 Milligrams contrary to section 253(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
The accused was released on a Promise to Appear and is bound to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Rainy River on October 30, 2018, in answer to the charges.
On September 15, 2018, a member of the Rainy River District OPP detachment conducted a vehicle stop on King’s Highway in Fort Frances for a Highway Traffic Act violation. Through conversation with the driver, the officer determined that the driver had alcohol in his body. He was arrested and transported to the Fort Frances OPP detachment, where he underwent further testing. As a result, Justin DESJARLAIS, 23 years of age, of Alberton Township, has been charged with the following:
- Driving Over 80 Milligrams contrary to section 253(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
The accused was released on a Promise to Appear and is bound to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on October 15, 2018, in answer to the charges.
On September 16, 2018, a member of the Atikokan OPP detachment conducted a vehicle stop on Highway 11 East of Quetico Park. Through conversation with the driver, the officer determined that the driver had alcohol in his body. He was arrested and transported to the Atikokan OPP detachment, where he underwent further testing. As a result, Brian CZUPRYNA, 40 years of age, of Neebing Township has been charged with the following:
- Driving While Ability Impaired contrary to section 253(1)(a) of the Criminal Code,
- Driving Over 80 Milligrams contrary to section 253(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
The accused was released on a Promise to Appear and is bound to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Atikokan on November 21, 2018, in answer to the charges.
The OPP wishes to remind the public that Impaired Driving remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada.
“Any person with information regarding impaired drivers should contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or 911 or their nearest police authority. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.”
