Jogues – Goderich Free Press

(JOGUES, ON) – A driver who reported their own vehicle stuck in a ditch south of Hearst is now facing impaired driving charges.

On February 3, 2025, at approximately 4:45 p.m., the James Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call from a driver that reported they had gotten their vehicle stuck in a ditch on Maheux Road in Jogues.

Officers located the vehicle and spoke with the driver. During the interaction, officers determined that the driver had been consuming alcohol. The individual was placed under arrest and transported to the Hearst OPP detachment for further testing.

As a result of the investigation, Linda LEVASSEUR, 63 years of age of Jogues, has been charged with:

· Operation while impaired – alcohol

· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

· Operate a motor vehicle without insurance

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on March 5, 2025, in Hearst. In addition, the accused received a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS), and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

(JOGUES, ON) – A report of a vehicle in the ditch and a suspected impaired excavator driver has resulted in multiple charges, including impaired driving.

On January 23, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the James Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a pickup truck in the ditch on Caithness Road in Jogues. The caller also reported observing an excavator traveling toward the location of the ditched vehicle.

Officers located the excavator traveling northbound on Caithness Road and conducted a traffic stop.

During their interaction with the driver, officers determined the individual had consumed alcohol. The driver was arrested and transported to the Hearst OPP detachment for further testing.

The investigation revealed grounds to charge the individual with operating both the pickup truck and the excavator while impaired by alcohol. Open alcohol was discovered in the pickup truck during a search conducted incident to arrest. Further investigation revealed that the individual’s driver’s licence was criminally suspended.

As a result, Shawn LECOURS, 41 years of age of Jogues, has been charged with:

· Operation while impaired – alcohol – two counts

· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) – two counts

· Operation while prohibited under the criminal code – two counts

· Obstruct peace officer

· Fail to report accident

· Having care or control of a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on February 26, 2025, in Hearst. In addition, the accused received a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS), and the pickup truck was impounded for 45 days.