Monday, November 24, 2008

Road Closure Advisory

The Ontario Provincial Police advise the public of the following road closure.

Location: Hwy 129 at Cummings lake to Chapleau

Detachment area: Thessalon

Time of road closure: 6:30pm

Reason for the closure: Motor vehicle collision

Detour: (if available) None

Estimated duration of closure: Unknown

Time road reopened: (will advise )


Note: Detailed motor vehicle collision information will be provided by the detachment as it becomes available.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE

1) (Elliot Lake, Ontario) On Saturday, November 22, 2008 at approximately 2:01 a.m. police were on routine patrol when a vehicle Axmith Avenue was noted to be stuck in a snow bank. Police stopped to assist the driver.

Police investigated and the driver was charged. Charged with the following is Travis HACHEY (21) of Navan, Ontario.

Impaired Operation
Over 80

HACHEY is scheduled to appear in Elliot Lake court on January 13, 2009.

2) (Elliot Lake, Ontario) A local male faces several charges after refusing to stop for police.

On November 22, 2008 at approximately 10:27 p.m. an officer of the East Algoma OPP was on general patrol when he attempted to stop a vehicle on Spruce Avenue in Elliot Lake. The vehicle accelerated away from police and eventually stopped on Central Avenue after striking a snow bank.

Charged with the following is Chad Leigh Dean SAUNDERS (34) of Elliot Lake.

Impaired Operation
Fail to Provide Breath Sample
Flight from Police
Race a Motor Vehicle
Breach of Probation

SAUNDERS is scheduled to appear in Elliot Lake court on January 6, 2009.

CITY BUS SHELTER SPRAY PAINTED

(Elliot Lake, Ontario) Police are currently investigating damage to a bus shelter on Mississauga Avenue in Elliot Lake.

On November 22, 2008 police received the mischief complaint to the city bus shelter. On scene police noted the shelter had been spray painted with blue and white paint along the rear of the shelter.

The damage occurred sometime the night before.

Anyone with information regarding the above mischief is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

BUSINESS VICTIM OF MISCHIEF

(Elliot Lake, Ontario) Police are currently investigating a broken window at an officer on Manitoba Road.

Sometime during the early morning of November 23, 2008 unknown person(s) threw an old plastic gas can through the front window of the building. The damage is valued at approximately $600.00.

Anyone with information regarding the above mischief is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Investigation continuing.

5 WEATHER RELATED CRASHES OVER WEEKEND

Sault Ste Marie Detachment investigated 5 weather related crashes over the past weekend. The crashes occurred on Hwy# 17 east and on three secondary roadways. Now that our first two winter storms are over, it would appear drivers need to be reminded of the three key strategies to avoid a crash’s. The primary cause of winter driving crash’s is driving too fast for the road conditions. Speed amplifies the effects of slippery roads, allowing less time to react to a loss of control occurs. Anticipation of having to stop or driving on slippery conditions is the next most important component of safe winter driving. By anticipating the effects of ice and snow on the road you will slow down and avoid making any radical movement of your vehicle. The third most important thing you can do is ensure you vehicle has good tires, preferably winter tires. Winter tires provide better traction for stopping and steering and can be the difference between a trip home and a trip into the ditch. Each year countless crashes and needless injuries could be avoided by just using common sense and slowing down. Just because the sign says 90 kp/h does not mean you should be driving at that speed.

STUND DRIVING CHARGE LAID

On Friday November 21st Sault Ste Marie OPP officers stopped a driver for speeding at 145 km/hr in a posted 90 km/hr zone on Hwy# 17 in Garden River. Charged with Stunt driving was Niel T Wiest age 47 of Espanola Ontario. Mr. Wiest had his vehicle impounded for 7 days and in addition his drivers license was suspended for 7 days. Drivers charged with stunt driving may also face thousands of dollars in potential fines as well as further license suspensions. Not only does excessive speed kill it has the potential to be very costly.