A 28-year-old driver will have some serious explaining to do when he gets his day in court.
At around 1:20 a.m. on Dec. 2, Sault Police patrolling the area of Second Line East and Great Northern Road spotted a vehicle turn right on a red light — without stopping or yielding, and then accelerating at a high rate of speed.
Police allege that when the officers hit their lights and tried to conduct a traffic stop, the driver failed to pull over. Only when the cops triggered their emergency siren did the driver eventually stop.
“Upon speaking with the accused, officers developed grounds to believe their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol,” says a news release issued today by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. “The accused provided multiple breath samples into an approved screening device and all results were above the legal limit.”
The incident didn't end there.
Police say further investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly failed to stop after colliding with another vehicle in a parking lot in the 300 block of Great Northern Road — causing minor physical injuries to the occupant of the vehicle.
Tyson Rimkey, 28, is charged with:
- Operation While Impaired – Drug and/or Alcohol
- Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80+)
- Dangerous Operation
- Failure to Stop After Accident
- Race a Motor Vehicle (under the Highway Traffic Act)
He was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled back in court on Jan. 8, 2024.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Rimkey is considered innocent unless proven guilty.