NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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TARBUTT-TARBUTT ADDITIONAL TOWNSHIP – On May 1, 2020, two members from the East Algoma Thessalon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were providing traffic control at a sink hole on Highway 548 approximately one kilometre north of the St. Joseph Island Bridge. The highway was only open to the northbound lane.
At approximately 8:35 p.m., the officers who were at the scene of the sink hole received a traffic complaint of a possible impaired driver heading their way. One of the officers was out with a pickup truck when they observed a car approaching the checkpoint at a high rate of speed. The officer had to move in front of the pickup to avoid being struck by the car as it continued on towards the bridge.
A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was arrested immediately for dangerous driving. After speaking with the driver, officers determined that alcohol had been consumed.
As a result of the investigation, Danielle Heatley, age 30, of Sault Ste. Marie was charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC);
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to section 320.14(1)(b) of the CC; and with
- Dangerous operation, contrary to section 320.13(1) of the CC
The accused was released by way of Undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Blind River on July 2, 2020. The accused was issued a 90-day administrative drivers licence suspension (ADLS), and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
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