THESSALON —OPP say a motorist, impaired by gasoline fumes from inside his vehicle, faces numerous charges after assaulting an officer who stopped him for speeding.
On February 18, the Traffic Incident Management Enforcement unit was patrolling Highway 17 in Huron Shores.
Around 10 a.m., police saw a westbound car travelling at "a high rate of speed on Highway 17" west of Thessalon. The officer tried to stop the car but the driver accelerated.
A short time later, police were able to pull in front of the car and bring it to a stop.
"While speaking to the driver, the officer was overwhelmed with the smell of gasoline fumes from the interior of the car," says Constable Bev Gauthier in a news release."
A large 45 litre rubber tote container, three-quarters full of liquid petroleum gasoline, was balanced on the rear passenger seat.
"The tote lid was not secure, spilling gasoline all over the interior," explains Gauthier. "The fumes were extremely strong, and it was determined the driver was impaired. The driver was agitated and assaultive towards police when told that fuel could not be transported in that manner."
A bystander helped with the arrest say police.
A member of the public assisted the officer with the arrest.
A 33-year-old Kitchener man is charged with:
- Assault with the intent to resist arrest
- Operation while impaired
- Dangerous operation
- Operate an unsafe vehicle
- Speeding
- Fail to comply with federal regulations safety standards-insecure load
He is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on April 6, 2023.
The vehicle was rendered unfit/unsafe by the officer due to the amount of liquid petroleum that had soaked into the interior of the car. As a result, the plates were seized, and the vehicle was towed.
