Clifford driver ditches vehicle, charged with impaired

HOWICK – A single-vehicle crash investigated by Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) last week has resulted in police charging a novice class driver with impaired driving.

On Aug. 15 at 6:35 p.m., Huron County OPP responded to the crash on Fordwich Line near Driftwood Beach. The Minto Fire Department and Bruce County Emergency Medical Services also responded. They arrived on the scene to find a compact vehicle in the ditch with extensive damage.

The driver was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. While speaking with the driver, police say the investigating officer had reason to believe the driver had consumed some alcohol. As a result, police tested the driver with an approved screening device, which police say registered a fail.

An intoxilizer technician then conducted breath tests on the driver. Police say both tests were found to be over the legal limit.

The driver, 27-year-old Colton Lormand from Clifford, has been charged with operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 80-plus and novice driver BAC above zero.

An automatic 90-day driver’s licence suspension has been served on the driver, and his vehicle was impounded.

The accused was released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Goderich.