NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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CHAMBERLAIN TOWNSHIP - On July 10, 2021, shortly after 7 p.m. members from the Temiskaming Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team and the Timiskaming Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responded to a single-vehicle collision on Chamberlain Road 6, in the Township of Chamberlain.
Preliminary investigation revealed that an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was westbound on Road 6 when it lost control ejecting the driver under the trailer towed by the ATV. Further investigation revealed that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages.
He suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital by ambulance.
The ATV was towed and impounded for 45 days. The road was closed and re-opened on July 11, 2021 shortly after 3:30 a.m.
On July 26, 2021, members of the Temiskaming OPP Detachment received a call for a single-vehicle collision on Little Road in the Township of Chamberlain.
Further investigation revealed that an excavator was being operated when it struck a pole causing the power to go out.
Police recognized the operator as the same driver who had been involved in the collision with the ATV and he was arrested for both incidents.
William Simpson, a 64-year-old resident of Kirkland Lake, has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), contrary to section 320.14(1)(b) of the CC
- Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code, contrary to section 320.18(1)(a) of the CC (two counts)
- Take motor vehicle without consent, contrary to section 335(1) of the CC
- Drive motor vehicle - not equipped with ignition interlock device, contrary to section 11 Ontario Regulation (O.Reg.) 287/08 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
- Driving while under suspension, contrary to section 53(1) of the HTA
- Driver - no helmet or improper helmet, contrary to section 19(1) O.Reg. 316 of the HTA
- No number plate showing permit number, contrary to section 16(1) O.Reg 316 of the HTA
- Fail to report damage to property on highway, contrary to section 201 of the HTA
- Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor, contrary to section 32(1) of the Liquor Licence Act (LLA)
- Fail to surrender evidence of insurance, contrary to section 15(3) of the Off-Road Vehicles Act (ORVA)
The accused was held for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date in the City of Temiskaming Shores.
The OPP reminds motorists that any amount of alcohol or drug can impair one's ability to drive. If you observe a suspected impaired driver, please call 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 and report it.
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