Tay – Goderich Free Press

(TAY TOWNSHIP,ON) – A vehicle stop for an traffic violation has lead to drinking and driving charges for a Tay Township resident. An officer from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment made a traffic stop on Park Street, Victoria Harbour on April 28, 2024 at approximately 2:41 am and upon speaking with the lone driver entered into an impaired driving investigation.

As a result of this investigation Joshua GEARIN 30 years of Tay Township has been charged criminally with the offence of Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

The accused was released from custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on May 30, 2024, was served a 90 day driver’s licence suspension and the involved vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days in accordance to the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines.

Detachment patrol officers set up 13 Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs checking 250 drivers for signs of impairment over the April 25-29, 2024 time frame in an effort to increase road safety here in North Simcoe.

Educating the public about safe driving, boating and ORV practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired operator on our roadways, waterways or trails please “Make the Call” and dial 911 as impaired driving never ends well, please make a plan to get home safely.

(TAY TOWNSHIP, ON)- On April 10, 2024 near 8:45 p.m. an officer from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment was patrolling south bound on William Street, Victoria Harbour, Tay Township in a police vehicle equipped with a Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) at which time the ALPR made notification of a possible suspended driver operating a south bound silver Honda automobile. A vehicle stop was made resulting in the officer upon speaking with the driver and entered into an drug possession investigation along with numerous Provincial Offences violations.

As a result of these investigations the lone driver, Michael LACROIX 36-years of Woodbridge was arrested and charged with the offence of Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Cocaine contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. and further with the following Provincial offences.

Driving while under suspension
Drive commercial motor vehicle – no licence
Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit
Possess more than one licence
Colour coating obscuring interior
Operate a motor vehicle without insurance

The accused was released from police custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on May 23, 2024, along with being subjected to a tow and impound invoice for seven days as per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines for the involved vehicle.

Recently, patrol officers were able to set up three Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at various roadway locations resulting in over 20 drivers being checked for signs of impairment.