54-Year-Old Man Charged with Stunt Driving After Hwy. 17 Stop

UPDATE: A 54-year-old man from Elliot Lake faces severe legal repercussions after being charged with both impaired driving and stunt driving following a high-speed traffic stop on Highway 17. The incident unfolded at approximately 10:30 p.m. on October 15, 2023, when officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted speed enforcement in Baldwin Township.

Authorities report that the vehicle was clocked traveling at 104 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, prompting the officers to initiate a traffic stop for further investigation. During the stop, a roadside breathalyzer test was administered, which resulted in a ‘fail’ reading, leading to the immediate arrest of the driver.

The man now faces a staggering list of charges stemming from this encounter. He has been charged with stunt driving, speeding, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, driving without valid plates, failing to surrender a permit for the vehicle, failing to apply for a permit upon becoming the owner, and breaching a probation order. Additionally, he faces charges for driving a vehicle with liquor readily available and two counts of impaired driving for having a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 mg.

As a result of these serious infractions, the driver has received a 90-day licence suspension, and his vehicle has been impounded for a duration of seven days.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of impaired and reckless driving on Ontario’s highways, raising concerns about public safety. The accused is set to appear in court in Espanola on November 17, 2023, to answer the charges against him.

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