Impaired drivers keep Kingston Police busy on NYE
(Jan 2, 2018 - Kingston, ON) - Impaired drivers kept Kingston Police busy on New Years Eve and well into the early morning of New Years Day, beginning only 10 minutes after a RIDE checkpoint had been set up downtown at around 11:00 p.m.
A 23-year-old Odessa man was arrested at the RIDE checkpoint that had recently been set up at the intersection of Sydenham St Princess St after he drove up to the checkpoint and officers made observations the accused had been drinking. His level of intoxication was tested with a roadside device, which registered a fail. The male was subsequently arrested and transported to police headquarters where he provided two breath samples. At that time he was found to have approximately 2 times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
The accused was charged with over 80 mg of alcohol and later released with a future court date. His driver’s licence is automatically suspended for 90 days and would face a one year suspension if convicted. The vehicle was seized and impounded for seven days, with the accused being responsible for all fees and fines.
About an hour later, a 19-year-old local man was arrested for impaired driving after he crashed his vehicle into a snow bank despite bar staff trying to stop him from driving.
At approximately 12:15 a.m. Kingston Police responded to the area of Truedell Road and Kilburn Street for a possible impaired driver. Witnesses reported the accused had gotten stuck in a snow bank and was attempting to push the vehicle out with the help of two other males. On police arrival the males were attempting to leave the scene in a taxi cab. Officers spoke with the males and upon questioning the driver he became aggressive and showed signs of intoxication by alcohol. The driver was arrested and a search of the vehicle revealed open liquor throughout.
He was transported to police headquarters, where he refused to provide a breath sample.
Further investigation revealed the accused and other males had been drinking at a bar earlier and were told not to drive. The males left the vehicle and walked away, but returned a short time later, got into the vehicle and drove off.
The male has been charged with impaired driving and failing to provide a breath sample.
He was later released with a future court date. His driver’s licence is automatically suspended for 90 days and would face a one year suspension if convicted. The vehicle was seized and impounded for seven days, with the accused being responsible for all fees and fines.
Two hours later, a 46-year-old local man was charged with impaired driving after a crashing into a stone wall.
At approximately 2:15 a.m. a single motor collision occurred on the private property of an apartment complex at 42 Leroy Grant Drive. A motor vehicle struck and became lodged on a rock portion of a wall at the front entrance to the apartment building.
On arrival, the Kingston Police officer says he observed several persons around the vehicle, including the driver who was using a shovel in an attempt to dislodge the vehicle. The officer learned the accused had been drinking and formed grounds to believe he was impaired by alcohol.
The accused was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he provided two breath samples. He was found to have approximately 1 ½ times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
The driver was charged with impaired driving and operating a vehicle with over 80 mg of alcohol. He was later released with a future court date. His driver’s licence is automatically suspended for 90 days and would face a one year suspension if convicted. The vehicle was seized and impounded for seven days, with the accused being responsible for all fees and fines.
