**JAMES BAY OPP NEWS RELEASE**

Between January 14, 2019 and January 18, 2019, members of the James Bay Detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), investigated three incidents where drivers were impaired by drugs.

 

On January 14, 2019, at approximately 5:15 a.m., police responded to a traffic complaint where the driver was suspected to be impaired. Officers located the male driver on Ash Street in the Town of Kapuskasing, Ontario and determined that he was impaired by drugs.

 

Louis GIASSON, 58-years-old, of Kapuskasing, Ontario, has been charged with Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CC).

 

He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Kapuskasing, Ontario, on February 25, 2019, to answer to the charge.

 

On January 16, 2019, at approximately 2:00 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop for a seatbelt violation on Prince Street in the Town of Hearst.

 

Police investigation revealed that the male driver was impaired by drugs and was also in possession of a controlled substance.

 

Stephane GODBOUT, 41-years-old, of Hearst, Ontario, has been charged with the following offences:

 

  • Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) CC,
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA),
  • Drive Vehicle or Boat with Cannabis Readily Available contrary to section 12(1) of the Cannabis Control Act, 2017 (CCA2017),
  • Driving While Under Suspension contrary to section 53 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), and
  • Driver – Fail to Properly Wear Seat Belt contrary to section 106(2) HTA.

 

He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Hearst, Ontario, on February 20, 2019, to answer to the charges.

On January 18, 2019, at approximately 6:00 p.m., officers responded to a motor vehicle collision on Government Road in the Town of Kapuskasing, Ontario, where the driver was possibly impaired.

 

Police investigation revealed that the male driver was impaired by drugs and was also in possession of a controlled substance.

 

Derek BIZIER, 37-years-old, of Kapuskasing, Ontario, has been charged with the following offences:

 

  • Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) CC,
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Other Drugs contrary to section 4(1) CDSA.

 

He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Kapuskasing, Ontario, on February 25, 2019, to answer to the charges.

 

All drivers were served with a 90 day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS) and the motor vehicles were impounded for seven days.

 

Police are asking the public to call the authorities if they see someone getting behind the wheel after having consumed intoxicating substances.

Filed under: Local News