Police say the results of a toxicology test received this month prompted officers to lay another charge against a local person accused of being asleep behind the wheel of a running vehicle back in October.
The initial arrest happened on the night of Oct. 24, when Sault Police say they found the accused asleep in a running vehicle in a Bay Street parking lot with the driver's side door open. Police say there was a small amount of suspected fentanyl and cocaine, and that the accused failed a sobriety test. They were charged at the time with operation while impaired – drug and/or alcohol, and possession of schedule 1 substance.
Blood was taken at the time, and based on the results of a toxicology test, police now allege that the accused had a concentration of drugs in their system above the legal limit. A warrant was issued Jan. 4, and Sault Police arrested the accused again after being alerted they were in Ontario Provincial Police custody.
Melanie Tomatuk, 44, was charged with the additional charge of operation while impaired (blood drug concentration) and was released on an appearance notice for March 17.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Tomatuk is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.