OPP FOCUSING ON IMPAIRED DRIVERS
The Quinte West OPP laid several impaired driving charges over the weekend as officers continue to focus their efforts on reducing impaired driving throughout the city.
Over the weekend, Quinte West OPP charged three drivers with impaired operation of a motor vehicle in three separate incidents. Additionally, two drivers were issued three-day licence suspensions for driving with blood alcohol in the “warn” range.
On Friday May 14, 2021, at 10:00 p.m., Quinte West officers responded to a traffic complaint of a vehicle travelling east on Highway 401. The vehicle was located on William Street in Trenton and a traffic stop was conducted. The driver displayed signs of alcohol impairment and failed the roadside Approved Screening Device (ASD). The driver was arrested and transported to the Quinte West detachment for further testing.
Michael PARRDON-MCKENZIE, 31 years old, of Dufferin County was charged with operation while impaired blood alcohol concentration (80 plus). The accused was released with a June 3, 2021 court date at the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.
On Saturday May 15, 2021, at 1:00 a.m., officers responded to a call for service on Dundas Street East in Trenton. Witnesses observed a driver asleep at the wheel at an intersection. Police located the vehicle a short distance away in a parking lot. Officers spoke with the driver and observed signs of impairment. Officers conducted a Standard Field Sobriety Test with the driver and the driver was subsequently arrested.
Sara CORNELL, 39 years old, of Belleville was charged with:
- Operation while impaired – blood drug concentration and
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
CORNELL was released with a court date scheduled for June 17, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.
On Sunday May 16, 2021, at approximately 3:15 a.m., officers were conducting traffic enforcement on County Road 40 in the City of Quinte West. Officers observed signs of alcohol impairment of a driver during a traffic stop and the driver failed a roadside ASD. The driver was arrested and transported to the Quinte West detachment for a breath test.
Nicholas KING, 26 years old of Cobourg, was charged with adult operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80 plus. KING was released with a court date scheduled for June 3, 2021, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.
The accused drivers had their licences suspended for 90 days and their vehicles were impounded for seven days. Quinte West OPP remains committed to ensuring our roads are safe from alcohol and drug impaired drivers and would like to remind the public that no amount of alcohol or drugs is safe when driving.
