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Police wake up impaired driver with child in vehicle

Sault Ste. Marie Police say a 911 call came in at around 8:30 p.m. Monday to report the vehicle in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue
06-25-2020-SaultPoliceStockSummerJH07
File photo.

A person found asleep inside a running vehicle that had a child in the backseat has been accused of being impaired by drugs.

Sault Ste. Marie Police say a 911 call came in at around 8:30 p.m. Monday to report a vehicle in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue.

“Upon arrival, officers located a running vehicle parked on the left side of the road with the driver asleep inside and a child in the back seat,” police said in a news release.

The release said officers had to shake the accused to wake him up, after which he was taken to hospital to provide a blood sample for screening.

The man was also evaluated by a drug recognition expert who determined he was impaired by drugs, police added.

Zachary Gruyters, 29, has been charged with:

  • Operation While Impaired – Drug and/or Alcohol
  • Operation While Impaired – Blood Drug Concentration
  • Dangerous Operation

None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.