(ORILLIA, ON) – Several individuals have been arrested and charged with impaired-related offences after separate investigations conducted by members of the Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) so far this holiday season.
On December 19, 2025, just after 10:00 pm, officers were conducting a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program on Highway 11 at Memorial Avenue in the City of Orillia. Officers observed a motor vehicle approach the RIDE and a demand for roadside screening device was read to the driver. The driver then fled the RIDE program and several officers began making patrols for the involved motor vehicle. The vehicle and driver were located a short time later, where they were arrested and transported back to the Orillia Detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Ryan STOCK (41) of Oro-Medonte, is facing the following charges:
– Flight from peace officer (CC), and
– Failure or refusal to comply with demand (CC).
On December 24, 2025, just after 11:00 pm, officers received a traffic complaint of a vehicle travelling on Highway 11 SB in Oro-Medonte Township. A member of the Orillia Detachment located the subject vehicle and entered into an impaired operation investigation. The driver was arrested and transported back to the Orillia Detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Connie SCHMIDT (56) of Torrence, is facing the following charges:
– Operation while impaired (CC),
– Operation while impaired – 80 plus (CC), and
– Breach of Probation Order (POA)
On December 25, 2025, around 11:45 pm, officers responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Line 1 South near 5-6 Side Road in Oro-Medonte Township. Upon arriving on scene, officers located the driver and entered into an impaired operation investigation. A roadside screening device was utilized, the driver was arrested for impaired related offences, and transported back to the Orillia Detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Steven DAWSON (46) of Barrie, is facing the following charges:
– Failure to stop after accident (CC),
– Operation while impaired (CC), and
– Operation while impaired – 80 plus (CC).
On December 27, 2025, around 1:00 pm, an officer of the Central Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team was conducting a RIDE program on Line 11 near Bass Lake Side Road in Oro-Medonte Township. The officer interacted with the driver of the vehicle and entered into an impaired operation investigation. The driver was subsequently arrested and transported back to the Orillia Detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Spencer FARN (41) of Coldwater, is facing the following charge:
– Operation while impaired – 80 plus (CC).
All accused parties were released from custody with future court dates, their licences were suspended for 90 days, and vehicles impounded for 7 days.
The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. As we approach New Years, make plans in advance to get home safe.
You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. You will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.