On Thursday, March 16, 2023, at approximately 7:13 p.m., Barrie Police began to receive multiple calls from concerned citizens about the driving behaviour of a motor vehicle being operated northbound on Ferndale Drive South in the city of Barrie.
As the vehicle approached the intersection at Ardagh Road, it continued northbound in the left turn lane and struck another motor vehicle head on. The driver reversed and then proceeded northbound on Ferndale Drive South, only to be followed by witnesses to the collision. The vehicle turned westbound onto Gore Drive, struck snowbanks on the southside of the road on two occasions which dislodged parts of the vehicle. The driver continued through a stop sign and then proceeded to back into a nearby driveway. This final manouvre took a number of attempts and on the last try, the driver backed into a closed garage door with the motor vehicle he was operating.
Police arrived at the residence, just as the driver had finished parking it and immediately took the 49-year-old driver from Badjeros, Ontario into custody for Impaired Operation and Fail to Remain.
The accused was transported to Barrie Police Headquarters where the investigation continued with the assistance of a qualified breathalyzer technician. After providing suitable breath samples, it was determined that the male driver had been driving with a blood alcohol level that was in excess of three times the legal limit. Police also learned that the driver was prohibited from driving and as a result, he was held in custody for a video bail hearing that is scheduled for later today with the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie where he will face the following charges:
- Failure to stop after accident
- Dangerous operation
- Impaired operation
- Operation while prohibited
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol.
Barrie Police wish to acknowledge and thank those who assisted with this incident from last night as their involvement greatly assisted in removing another impaired driver from our streets.
| Occurrence #: | BA23016249 |
| Prepared by: | Corporate Communications Coordinator, Peter Leon |