Impaired driver strikes utility pole and flees scene leaving bumper and licence plate behind

A local man is facing impaired driving charges after he drove into a pole and left the scene, and then refused to provide breath samples.

On Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, police responded to reports of a motor vehicle collision which had just occurred in the area of Portsmouth Avenue and Bath Road at approximately 12:03 a.m. The pickup truck involved in the collision had been seen by witnesses leaving the scene after striking a utility pole, according to a press release from Kingston Police.

Upon arrival on the scene, police located the front bumper of the vehicle laying in the roadway. The vehicle’s licence plate was still attached to the bumper.

Police were able to locate the vehicle a short distance away, an officer observed the accused driver walking nearby. The officer also observed that the accused man was impaired by alcohol, and the man was arrested and taken to Kingston Police Headquarters. Once at the station, the accused man refused to provide breath samples.

The 49-year-old Kingston man was charged with impaired driving by alcohol/drugs, and failing to provide a breath sample. The man was later released with a future court date. His driver’s licence was automatically suspended for 90 days, and he will face a one-year suspension if convicted. Additionally, the accused man’s vehicle was impounded for seven days, and he will be responsible for all related fees and fines.