Impaired driver arrested after driving wrong way on Highway 401

A Kingston man has been arrested and charged after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call about a vehicle travelling in the wrong direction on Highway 401.

According to the Lennox and Addington (L&A) Detachment of the OPP, the incident happened on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. At approximately 2 a.m. that date, the L&A OPP responded to a call regarding the vehicle, which was travelling in the wrong direction on the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 near Odessa.

Shortly after receiving that call, a two-vehicle collision occurred on Highway 401 just west of Odessa.

Investigating officers found that a car was travelling westbound in the eastbound lanes of the 401, just east of Odessa, when it collided with the front end of an SUV. According to police, the SUV had three passengers inside, including the driver, and the car had one lone driver. No one was injured as a result of the collision.

The ensuing investigation determined that the driver of the car had been drinking. The driver was subsequently arrested and taken to the L&A OPP Detachment for further testing.

As a result, 19-year-old Ethan Kline of Kingston was charged with:

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired — drugs and/or alcohol
• Operation of a motor vehicle while over the legal blood alcohol limit
• Resisting a peace officer

The accused man was released on a Promise to Appear and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee later this month. Additionally, the man’s licence was suspended and his vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused will be responsible for all related fees and fines.