(FORT FRANCES, ON) – A routine traffic stop for expired validation ended with criminal charges for an impaired driver.
On December 15, 2024, at approximately 1:00 am, a member of the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that had expired validation.
Investigation determined that the driver had been consuming alcohol, and an approved screening device test was administered. The driver failed the test and was arrested and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where additional breath testing was completed by way of demand.
Matthew SOBEY, 32-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug, and one count of impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 milligrams and over. The accused was also charged with having care or control with cannabis readily available, driving without a licence, having no currently validated permit, and failing to produce insurance.
The accused had his driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on January 27, 2025, to answer to the criminal charges.
This year’s Festive RIDE Campaign runs from November 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Citizens are reminded to do their part during the campaign by never driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, and never letting anyone else drive if you know or suspect that they have consumed either.