Monday, January 10, 2005

Goulais River, Ont. - The drivers of both vehicles involved in a collision near the Havilland dump have been charged.

On Sunday January 9 2005 at about 3 p.m. a series of four vehicles were following a snowplow north on Highway 17 near the Havilland dump. The last vehicle in the series pulled out and was passing the rest of the vehicles. The first vehicle in the chain then tried to make a left-hand turn into the dump. The two vehicles collided and one vehicle ended up in the ditch. No one was injured in the collision. Both drivers were charged under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. Twenty-eight-year-old Jerry Lemieux of Goulais River has been charged with Driving left of Center-Approaching Crest of Grade. Sixty-year-old Charles Collins of Goulais River was charged with Turn-Not in Safety.

Joint snow machine patrol finds violations

Sault Ste Marie, Ont. - A joint snow machine patrol over the weekend with the OPP and the MNR has resulted in numerous charges laid under a variety of Acts.

Officers with the OPP Traffic and Marine Unit, based at Sault Ste. Marie detachment, teamed up with Conservation Officers from the MNR over the weekend to check snow machine operators and outdoor sportsmen in a wide area north of Sault Ste Marie.
As a result of this patrol the officers checked 93 snow machines.
Of those machines that were checked, 14 operators were charged with various offences under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act.

Eight other operators were given warnings for other snow machine violations. Officers laid one charge under the Liquor Licence Act and one charge under the Ontario Fishing Regulations.

Three people were given warnings for violations under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Farm tractor destroyed by fire

(Desbarats, Ontario) - On Friday January 7, 2005 at approximately 7 a.m. the East Algoma – Thessalon OPP were advised of a fire on Gordon Lake Road, east of Desbarats.

A farm tractor was destroyed by fire. The Johnson Fire Department attended the scene and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. Unknown what caused the fire. No foul play is expected.

Flight from police results in numerous charges

(Thessalon, Ontario) - On Friday January 7, 2005 a member of the East Algoma – Thessalon OPP was conducting patrols east of Thessalon on Walker Road.

The officer observed a motorized snow vehicle traveling eastbound on the OFSC Snowmobile trails and activated the emergency lights to stop the driver. The driver first came to a stop at the roadside where Walker Road and the trail meet. Then the driver of the motorized snow vehicle looked at the police car, hit the throttle and tried to take off around the front of the cruiser. The motorized snow vehicle hit the push bars on the front of the cruiser, lost control and ended up in a deep ditch on the other side of the road.

The driver was ejected off his machine and into the snow.
The driver was wearing a duffle bag on his back containing a full case of unopened beer. The driver was arrested and transported to the East Algoma – Thessalon OPP. The driver Ernest Daniel BOULRICE (35) of Thessalon First Nation has been charged under the Criminal Code with: Flight from Police. Impaired Driving and Over 80 mgs.

BOULRICE also faces charges of Owner – drive motorized snow vehicle without a permit and No licence – drive across highway under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act. BOULRICE is scheduled to appear in Thessalon court on February 24, 2005.


(Elliot Lake, Ont.) - January 9 and 10, 2005 the OPP S.A.V.E. team patrolled snowmobile trails in and around Elliot Lake.

26 snowmobiles were checked and the following charges were laid;
- Drive Motorized Snow Vehicle With No Trail Permit - five charged - $255 fine per person
- Insufficient Documentation - two charged

Police would like to remind all snowmobile riders to obey the speed limits and slow down on lakes. Safe snowmobiling means riding within your own capabilities, operating at safe and appropriate speeds, and never drinking alcoholic beverages before or while driving. Anglers and trappers must trailer to the nearest access prior to using trails.