A driver from the Heyden area faces impaired driving charges following a traffic stop on Front Street in the Town of Spanish on Feb. 25.
"The driver was transported to Elliot Lake detachment for further testing. While at detachment, the driver had to be transported to local hospital via Algoma Paramedic Services," says a news release issued by OPP. "With the assistance from the East Algoma OPP a blood demand was conducted at the hospital, and the driver was later released back into police custody."
Full text of the release follows:
Driver speeding through Serpent River results in impaired charge.
On Feb. 25, 2023, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) unit was on patrol duties on Highway 17 within the Township of the North Shore.
At approximately 8 p.m., police observed an eastbound pickup truck travelling at a high rate of speed on Highway 17 through Serpent River. A traffic stop was initiated on Front Street near Richard Street in the Town of Spanish.
As the officer was speaking to the driver, it was determined alcohol had been consumed and an arrest was subsequently made. The driver was transported to Elliot Lake detachment for further testing. While at detachment, the driver had to be transported to local hospital via Algoma Paramedic Services. With the assistance from the East Algoma OPP a blood demand was conducted at the hospital, and the driver was later released back into police custody.
As a result, Christopher Gilmar, 42 years of age from Aweres Township, was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Blind River on April 6, 2023.
The driver was issued a 90-day administrative driver's licence suspension (ADLS) and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.