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UPDATE: Charges laid against van driver who smashed into cemetery wall

67-year-old faces four charges, including impaired driving and dangerous operation, after allegedly fleeing the collision scene and 'hiding in the woods'

A 67-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including impaired driving, after a white van crashed into an old stone wall at Greenwood Cemetery yesterday evening.

As SooToday first reported last night, the collision destroyed a wall at the cemetery entrance and caused significant damage to the van.

Sault Police provided more details in a news release issued Thursday afternoon.

Someone phoned 911 at approximately 6 p.m. Wednesday to report the single-vehicle crash near Peoples Road and Fourth Line.

“An investigation revealed the accused had failed to stop at a stop sign while travelling at a high rate of speed — almost colliding with another motor vehicle — before crashing into a stone wall at the entrance of a cemetery, exiting the vehicle, and running into the woods,” the release says.

Officers eventually found the suspect “hiding in the woods,” police say, and developed grounds to suspect he’d been drinking.

The man refused to provide a breath sample and was arrested, police say.

Matthew Knight is charged with:

  • Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and/or Drugs
  • Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand
  • Dangerous Operation
  • Failure to Stop After Accident

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled back in court on June 17.

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