Police respond to 3 morning impaired driving collisions

Thunder Bay Police Service officers responded to three separate collisions involving impaired drivers in a four-hour span.

Two of those collisions occurred at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, with the third occurring at about 8 a.m.

In the first incident, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Valley Street after receiving reports of a motor vehicle collision. Responding officers found that a vehicle had collided with multiple parked vehicles before crashing into a utility pole, knocking power lines down onto the roadway.

The female driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital for assessment before being brought into custody at the police station.

A 23-year-old woman is charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus), and Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle.

At the same time, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Frederica Street West for a motor vehicle collision. Responding officers found that a vehicle had collided with multiple vehicles parked in the area and struck a house. The female driver was transported to hospital for assessment where she refused to provide a blood sample.

A 21-year-old woman is charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle, and Refusal to Comply with a Demand.

Then, shortly after 8 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Oliver Road and Golf Links Road for a two-vehicle collision. Responding officers observed signs that one of the drivers was impaired. The driver was arrested and taken into custody. Further assessment by a Drug Recognition Expert officer determined the female's ability to operate a conveyance was impaired by multiple drugs.

A 27-year-old woman is charged with Impaired Operation of a Vehicle.

Fortunately, none of these collisions resulted in serious injuries to any of the involved parties or anyone else. It is extremely concerning to have these incidents occur within such a close period of time. Driving while impaired is a dangerous decision that puts all other road users at risk.

All above parties are subject to a 90-day administrative driver's licence suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.