The Thunder Bay Police Service is reporting a disturbing recent increase in impaired driving incidents.
Between Aug. 10-20, there have been 10 drivers arrested on impaired driving charges.
Thunder Bay Police Service Traffic Unit Const. Tom Armstrong said impaired driving remains a prevalent issue in the city.
"It's a very concerning trend and one that affects all of us," Armstrong said during a media conference on Wednesday. "It's a very big public safety issue."
The prevalence of impaired driving thus far in 2024 remains consistent with the rates from previous years, where the total of individuals arrested annually has regularly exceeded 200.
A summary of some of the notable incidents follows below:
TB24034097
Thunder Bay Police Service officers were dispatched to the area of Brock Street and Ford Street at about 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20.
Two vehicles were involved in the collision, with one flipping onto its side.
Responding officers observed signs that one of the drivers was impaired. The driver was taken into custody and transported for further testing.
A 37-year-old Thunder Bay woman has been charged with Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle, Impaired Operation of a Vehicle, Operation of a Vehicle while Prohibited, and Failure to Comply with a Probation Order.
TB24033755
Thunder Bay Police Service officers were dispatched to the area of Wardrope Avenue and Balsam Street just before 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 18.
A single vehicle went through the intersection and crashed into a wooded area off the roadway.
Officers spoke to the driver of the vehicle and observed signs of impairment. The driver was transported to hospital for treatment of injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.
A 32-year-old Thunder Bay man is charged with Impaired Operation of a Vehicle, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus).
TB24033574
Thunder Bay Police Service officers received reports of a motor vehicle collision just after 7 p.m. on Friday, August 16.
Responding officers had been dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle colliding with a utility pole near Academy Drive and Balmoral Street. While en route, officers received information that the vehicle had left the scene and had headed to a parking lot in the 500 block of Syndicate Avenue North.
Officers located the damaged vehicle, which matched the description of the suspect vehicle. Officers spoke to the driver and observed signs of impairment. The driver was taken into custody and later refused to provide a breath sample.
A 30-year-old Thunder Bay man is charged with Impaired Operation of a Vehicle, Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle, and Refusal to Comply with a Demand.
TB24032753
Thunder Bay Police Service officers were dispatched to the intersection of Donald Street and Selkirk Street at about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 11 after receiving reports of a collision involving multiple vehicles.
The investigation determined that two vehicles collided in the intersection, with one then coming into contact with a vehicle parked in a nearby driveway.
Officers observed signs that one of the drivers was impaired. The driver was taken into custody.
A 32-year-old man from Marten Falls First Nation is charged with Impaired Operation of a Vehicle, Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus), Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle, and Breach of Probation x2.
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Two people were arrested on impaired driving charges in the same vehicle.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers had originally been dispatched to Summit Avenue after receiving reports of an impaired driver on Saturday, August 10. The vehicle left that area and was reported to have travelled to a parking lot in the 300 block of Memorial Avenue.
Officers located the vehicle and spoke to the driver, observing signs of impairment. The male driver was arrested.
While officers were in the process of preparing to tow the vehicle, one of the passengers repeatedly entered the vehicle and sat in the driver’s seat with the intent of driving away.
A 29-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, both from Webequie First Nation, are each charged with Impaired Operation of a Vehicle, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus).