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Vehicle found in snowbank, driver charged with impaired: police

The driver is facing multiple charges as a result
12-05-2018-SSMpoliceWinterStockJH01
File photo. James Hopkin/SooToday

Reports of an erratic driver have led to charges for a 29-year-old man.

On Tuesday, officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service responded to 911 reports of an erratic driver in the 0-100 block of Avery Road that had hit multiple snowbanks and was becoming aggressive with bystanders.

When the officers arrived, a pickup truck was found in a snowbank and the accused was walking toward them.

Police say the officers had grounds to believe the individual was impaired and that what is believed to be a partially smoked marijuana cigarette was found in the vehicle.

The accused was arrested and provided a breath sample that showed no alcohol was in their blood. The accused was taken to hospital for a blood sample.

As a result, Gordon Kirkpatrick has been charged with:

  • operation while impaired – drug and/or alcohol
  • dangerous operation
  • drive vehicle with cannabis readily available (under the Cannabis Act

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 6, 2025.

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