An early-morning crash in Garden River on Feb, 8 has led to impaired driving charged for a 54-year-old driver from Prince Township.
Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to the crash shortly after 3 a.m. and an investigation has led to the charges for Steven Bannister as a result.
Following is a full release from the OPP with further details:
On Feb. 8, 2022, shortly after 3 a.m., members from the Sault Ste Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a motor vehicle collision that occurred in the eastbound lanes on Highway 17 near Belleau Lake Road within the community of Garden River.
Investigation determined a lone pick-up truck was travelling eastbound on Highway 17, struck a guard rail on the north shoulder then crossed both eastbound lanes onto the south shoulder and came to rest against a guard rail.
As police were speaking to the driver, officers determined alcohol had been consumed. The driver was arrested and transported to the Sault Ste Marie OPP detachment where further testing was conducted.
As a result of the investigation, Steven Bannister, 54 years-of-age from Prince Township was charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
- Operation while impaired - operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to section 320.14(1)(b) of the CC
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste Marie on March 7, 2022.
The accused sustained no injuries and was issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension (ADLS), and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
Reporting impaired driving is everyone's responsibility. Call 9-1-1 if you suspect an impaired driver.