Separate Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checkpoints north of Sault Ste. Marie saw two drivers charged this week.
On Sunday at approximately 3:45 a.m., officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a Festive RIDE check on Highway 17 and Highway 556.
During the check, one driver failed the screening test, indicating the presence of alcohol in their system.
As a result of further investigation, Joseph Doiron, 43, of Sault Ste. Marie was arrested and charged with:
- operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- drive motor vehicle with open container of liquor
- drive motor vehicle with cannabis readily available
On Monday at approximately 2:38 a.m., officers with the Sault Ste. Marie OPP were conducting a Festive RIDE check on Highway 17 and Trout Lake Road.
During the RIDE, police say one driver refused to provide a breath sample.
As a result, Alain Carrier, 31, of Sault Ste. Marie was arrested and charged with:
- refusal to comply with demand
Both accused parties were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court in Sault Ste. Marie on Jan. 6, 2025.
They were issued 90-day administrative drivers licence suspensions and their vehicles were impounded for seven days.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and both individuals are considered innocent unless proven guilty.