A 38-year-old man faces drunk driving charges after a witness, who the driver almost hit on Municipal Road 80, followed him home and alerted police.
On Sept. 11, around 8:30 p.m., a southbound minivan on Elmview failed to stop at a red light and turned in front of another driver, who took evasive action and avoided a collision.
The witness driver followed the minivan on MR80. The van signaled a right turn at Centennial Drive, but drove over the sidewalk into a hydro pole, causing extensive damage to the vehicle.
The suspect then reversed and drove across the sidewalk and continued east down MR80 until reaching Notre Dame Street. He failed to stop at the stop sign and turned into a residential driveway.
Because the witness driver followed him, police were able to arrive quickly and investigate. The man is charged with operation while impaired, dangers operation, failing in to remain and operation while impaire - blood alcohol over 80.
“The location of this collision is a terrible reminder of the dangers of impaired driving, as it was the exact same location where three teens were tragically killed by another impaired driver on June 21, 2009,” said Greater Sudbury Police in a news release. “Had the accused in this matter not struck a hydro pole, he would have driven directly into the commemorative sign display for the three teens.”
Police encourage others to report suspected impaired drivers. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705- 222-TIPS, online at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com
