Impaired driving on Canada Day leads to arrest for local man

A Kingston man has been charged with impaired driving after being seen swerving into traffic, driving into a ditch, and staggering on the roadway on Canada Day.

The accused man was driving westbound on Highway 2 east of Kingston on Monday, Jul. 1, 2019 at approximately 12:15 p.m. According to Kingston Police, the accused man was seen swerving into oncoming traffic before driving off the roadway and into the south ditch. The accused was then seen staggering on the roadway after attempting to reverse out of the ditch. As responding officers arrived, the accused man was back inside the vehicle, revving the engine in an attempt to reverse out of the ditch.

The officers made observations the accused man was impaired by alcohol, and he was then arrested and transported to police headquarters where he failed to provide two suitable breath samples.

The 54-year-old local man was charged with impaired operation of a conveyance (vehicle), and failure to provide a breath sample. He was later released with a future court date.

The accused man’s licence is automatically suspended for 90 days and he will face a one year suspension if convicted. The vehicle was seized and impounded for seven days, with the accused being responsible for all fees and fines.