An off-duty officer stopped an impaired driver who appeared to be about to go through a red light at a highway intersection Saturday morning.
The off-duty Thunder Bay Police Service officer was in their personal vehicle and approaching a green light at the corner of Balmoral Street and Oliver Road at about 6:50 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29.
The officer saw a brown truck sitting at the turning lane to go westbound from Balmoral, however, the vehicle was not moving. The officer continued to observe the vehicle not move for several light cycles.
Fearing the motorist could be in medical distress, the officer approached the vehicle, at which point the truck began to turn westbound onto Oliver Road travelling at a low rate of speed.
The officer followed, and observed erratic driving behaviour.
The officer then noticed the suspected impaired driver was heading toward the red light at the intersection of Oliver Road and Highway 11/17. Fearing for public safety, the officer drove in front of the suspected impaired driver to block their path.
The officer approached the driver and noticed multiple signs of impairment. The driver was then placed under arrest for impaired driving.
On-duty police officers arrived on scene and transported the suspect to the TBPS headquarters at 1200 Balmoral Street. Further evaluation confirmed the motorist was impaired by alcohol.
A 33-year-old Thunder Bay man has been charged with Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Alcohol, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired Blood Alcohol Concentration.