At approximately 7:41 p.m., on March 21, 2016, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised of a traffic complaint regarding a vehicle eastbound on Highway 17 from Espanola, being operated by a male possibly impaired by alcohol. Officers patrolled the area and observed the vehicle travelling eastbound on Highway 17 four lanes, in the City of Greater Sudbury. Police initiated a traffic stop and determined that the driver and four passengers had consumed alcohol and that there was open liquor inside the vehicle.
As a result of the investigation, Casey DEBASSIGE, 39 years of age, from Sudbury, was arrested and charged with the following:
1. Driving while ability impaired – motor vehicle, contrary to the Criminal Code
2. Driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol, contrary to the Criminal Code
3. Driving while under suspension, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
4. Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor, contrary to the Liquor Licence Act
The accused driver’s licence has been suspended for 90 days and the vehicle he was operating was impounded for seven (7) days.
The accused will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury, on April 13, 2016, to answer to his charges.
The four passengers were charged with: Consuming liquor in other than licenced premises, residence or private place, contrary to the Liquor Licence Act.
The OPP is reminding motorists that there is no safe amount of alcohol or drug consumption when driving. Anyone who suspects a driver is driving while impaired is urged to call police by dialing 9-1-1 immediately.