Vehicle driving ahead of OPP nearly hits ditch, charges follow

A Blind River resident faces impaired driving charges following a traffic stop near Thessalon on Saturday evening.

East Algoma OPP officers were driving on Highway 17 when they observed the vehicle in front of them "cross the centre line, then almost drove into a ditch."

In addition to impaired driving, the 24-year-old accused faces two counts of driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor and two counts of drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available.

Full text of the OPP news release follows:

On Oct, 21, 2023, members from the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were on patrol duties on Highway 17 within the Municipality of Huron Shores (west of Thessalon).

Shortly after 11 p.m., police were westbound on Highway 17 and a vehicle in front them was also travelling in the same direction when officers observed that vehicle cross the centre line, then almost drove into a ditch. Without delay, police initiated a traffic stop near Nestorville Road.

While speaking to the driver, police determined alcohol had been consumed and an arrest was made. The accused was transported to Thessalon detachment for further testing and the driver's vehicle was impounded for seven days.

As a result, Jabob Schellekens, 24 years of age from Blind River, was charged with:
    •    Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
    •    Operation while impaired - blood alcohol
    •    Careless (two counts)
    •    Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor (two counts)
    •    Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available (two counts)

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Dec. 7, 2023.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and Schellekens is considered innocent unless proven guilty.