Category: Fort Frances

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An impaired driver was charged with several offences after a proactive traffic stop to check sobriety.  

On March 7, 2025, at approximately 7:30 pm, an officer with the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a suspicious vehicle in the 5^th Street East area of town.  

Investigation determined that the driver was suspended and showing obvious signs of impairment. The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where a drug recognition evaluation was completed by one of the Detachment’s Drug Recognition Experts.  

Erica Stonefish, 42-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged with the following offences:

·      Operation while impaired drugs and alcohol

·      Fail to comply with a release order

·      Driving while under suspension

·      Novice driver presence of drug

·      Drive motor vehicle with open container of liquor

·      Drive motor vehicle with cannabis readily available

·      Use plate not authorized for vehicle

The accused received an additional 90-day licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused was held in custody and has a bail hearing scheduled for March 12, 2025, in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice.

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An impaired driver was taken off the road thanks to a 9-1-1 call from a concerned citizen.  

On March 7, 2025, at approximately 3:00 pm, the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a 9-1-1 call from a concerned citizen who reported seeing an obviously impaired driver in the Flinders Avenue area of town.  

Officers located the vehicle in the Walmart parking lot and conducted field sobriety testing on the driver. The roadside testing confirmed that the driver was impaired by drug. The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where a drug recognition evaluation was completed by one of the Detachment’s Drug Recognition Experts.  

Brianna van Dulmen, 43-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug.   

The accused driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused was released by the Fort Frances OPP and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on March 31, 2025, to speak to the charges.

The OPP relies on the public to report crime. Impaired driving is a serious crime that should be treated no differently. No amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. If you know or suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1. In doing so, you may save a life. 

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – Treaty Three Police assist Fort Frances OPP to recover a stolen vehicle with an impaired driver.  

On March 2, 2025, at approximately 2:00 pm, the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a stolen vehicle from a residence in Fort Frances. Treaty Three Police located and stopped the vehicle in Couchiching First Nation Territory.   

Investigation determined that there was open liquor in the vehicle and the driver was obviously impaired.  The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances Detachment where additional impaired driving testing was completed. The driver submitted to a drug recognition evaluation and was found to be impaired.

Ashley Councillor, 37-years-old, from Couchiching First Nation is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug, and one count of take motor vehicle without consent. The accused was also charged provincially with an open liquor and driver’s licence offence.   

The accused driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was returned to the registered owner. The accused was released by the Fort Frances OPP and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on April 7, 2025, to speak to the charges.

(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.   

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – The driver of a vehicle stopped for speeding was arrested and charged with impaired offences.

On November 6, 2024, at approximately 1:00 am, an officer with the Rainy River District Detachment Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a speeding vehicle in the Mill Road area of Fort Frances.

During the interaction, the officer determined that the driver was obviously impaired by alcohol. The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fort Frances OPP Detachment where breath testing was completed by way of demand.

Belva KINGBIRD, 37-years-old from Fort Frances, ON is charged criminally with one count impaired operation drugs or alcohol, and one count of impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 milligrams or over.

The accused’s driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused was released by police and is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on December 16, 2024, to answer to the charges.

( FORT FRANCES) The Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), has charged an individual following a traffic stop.

On October 22, 2024, at approximately 7:20 p.m. the Provincial Communications Centre received reports of a impaired driver leaving a licensed establishment in the Town of Fort Frances. Police patrolled the area and located the subject motor and conducted a traffic stop.

While speaking with the driver, the investigating officer observed signs of intoxication and conducted an impaired driving investigation.

As a result of the investigation, Derek BROWN, a 46-year-old from Sleeman Ontario was charged with:

• Operation while Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
• Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) contrary to section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code

A 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension (ADLS) and a seven-day vehicle impoundment was initiated as per statute.

The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on December 9, 2024.