ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH – Two ATV operators have been charged with impaired driving after police say they failed a screening test on the G2G trail during the May long weekend.
On Sunday, May 21, Huron County OPP officers were conducting ATV patrols on the trail system in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh. According to police, the trail system is open to non-motorized traffic only, except for during the winter months when the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs uses the trail for its snow vehicle operators.
That afternoon, around 4:15 p.m., officers saw three ATVs on the trail. Police spoke to the operators of the vehicles, and “determined that they have consumed alcohol prior to driving.”
Police further stated that two of the operators failed an approved screening device (ASD) test. The ASD is used by police to determine the approximate blood/alcohol levels of an individual
The two operators were arrested for impaired operation and taken by police to the Huron OPP detachment in Clinton for further testing by a qualified OPP breath technician.
The two operators, a 46-year-old and 28-year-old, both of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, have been charged with operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, and operation while impaired – over 80.
The accused were also charged with additional offences found in the Trespass to Property Act, Liquor Licence Control Act, Highway Traffic Act, and the Off-Road Vehicles Act.
Police say the ATVs involved in the incident were towed and impounded for seven days, and the driver’s licenses of the accused were suspended for 90 days.
The accused parties have since been released from custody with court appearances scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.
