Police charged a Thunder Bay man for dangerous and impaired operation of a motor vehicle after he became involved in a collision while driving through a park Monday.
A Thunder Bay Police Service officer with the Traffic Unit conducted a traffic stop just before 2 p.m. on Monday, March 29 on Pine Street at Elizabeth Street following a report of a single-vehicle collision at a park.
Prior to arriving in the area, police learned a black pickup truck was being driven through Carrick Park on a pathway when the motorist attempted to drive under a guide wire stabilizing a utility pole. The truck’s fender became stuck on the wire, and the motorist drove the vehicle in circles for several minutes before it became free.
The motorist then left the area.
Police located and stopped the vehicle on Pine Street at Elizabeth Street a short time later. The truck nearly collided with the police cruiser during the traffic stop.
When police approached the driver they noticed multiple signs of impairment and an open bottle of alcohol was observed in a cup holder.
The driver was arrested and transported to the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters at 1200 Balmoral Street.
Further analysis of the driver’s breath determined he had a blood alcohol concentration of 286 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit.
A 56-year-old Thunder Bay man is charged with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired Blood Alcohol Concentration, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired.
The accused has since been released from custody with a future appearance date. His identity is being withheld pending the formal swearing in of his charges.