Tuesday, July 22, 2008

DRIVER CHARGED - FATAL COLLISION INVOLVING OFF DUTY OPP OFFICER

(Nairn Centre,ON) - On Sunday, June 29, 2008, officers from the Espanola Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a collision involving a car and a motorcycle on Highway 17, Nairn Township, approximately 2 kilometers west of Nairn Centre.

The driver of the motorcycle, off-duty Detective Sergeant Paul Clairmont of the Sudbury Unit of the OPP Investigation and Enforcement Bureau assigned to the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario, was killed when the driver of the westbound Pontiac Sunfire lost control and veered into his eastbound lane. The two occupants of the Sunfire suffered minor injuries.

With the assistance of OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators and OPP Reconstructionists, officers have completed their investigation and the driver of the car, Cullen Webster, age 30, of Toronto was charged with Careless Driving.

CORRECTION: DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE….. ATV DRIVER CHARGED!

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) July 20th, 2008 at approximately 6:00 a.m. police received a call to attend the area of Esten Lake Beach in regards to a possible ATV accident. On scene police spoke with the two parties involved. One of the involved parties was transported to hospital due to injuries sustained in an altercation that occurred after the accident. The other involved party was cautioned by police not to drive the ATV and to wait for police to return.

At 7:30 a.m. when police were returning to the scene, they observed the ATV approaching them. The ATV was stopped and the driver was identified as the other involved party that police had cautioned earlier not to drive.

Charged with Impaired Operation and Over 80 is a 17-year-old male youth of Elliot Lake. The name of the youth will not be released as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The youth is scheduled to appear in Elliot Lake court on October 7th, 2008.

BUSY WEEKEND FOR OPP

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) Officers of the East Algoma OPP were busy this weekend with special events happening in the community.

The following charges were laid:

Intoxication in a Public Place 9
Consuming Liquor in other than licensed premises,
residence or private place 2
Having Liquor in other than licensed premises,
residence or private place 1
Person Under 19 – Consuming Liquor 1
Person Under 19 – Having Liquor 1
12-hour suspension – drivers licence 1

SOME OFF ROAD VEHICLES NOT PERMITTED ON ROADWAYS … CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY!

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) East Algoma OPP is finding more and more persons operating golf carts, side vehicles and other Off Road Vehicle on roadways.

Side by side vehicles such as Polaris Rangers, golf carts, low-speed vehicles, electric and motorized scooters, and pocket bikes are recognized as Off Road Vehicles but are not permitted to be operated on roadways in any municipality in the East Algoma Detachment area.

The only permitted Off Road Vehicle that can operate on roadways are: ATV’s

Definition of an ATV is as follows;
• has four wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground;
• has steering handlebars;
• has a seat that is designed to be straddled by the driver;
• is designed to carry a driver only and no passengers

The ATV must be registered with MTO as an Off Road Vehicle with a green and while license plate displayed on the rear. The operator must have a valid G2 or higher drivers license and Automobile Liability Insurance.

• ORV operators must observe a speed limit lower than posted limits.
• Passengers are not allowed.
• May tow trailers.
• Driver's view in all directions must not be obstructed.
• It is against the law to drive an off-road vehicle when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Riders must operate their ORV in the same direction as traffic on the road/highway.

Using a slow moving vehicle sign and operating Off Road Vehicle’s on the roadway is a misuse of the slow moving vehicle signs and subject to charges under the Highway Traffic Act.

All other such Off Road Vehicle’s as mentioned are not permitted to be operated on any municipal roadways in the East Algoma District and subject to charges under the Highway Traffic Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.