Kingston driver charged with impaired, dangerous driving after Division Street crash

In an incident that almost miraculously left no one injured, a local woman is facing multiple charges after she drove off the roadway, through two light poles and a fire hydrant, and into a large roadside business sign.

The miraculous part is that not a single pedestrian or other driver was in the line of the vehicle’s trajectory as it barrelled off of Division Street in the busy restaurant and retail hub just south of Highway 401. That’s precisely what happened when, at approximately 7:25 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, the driver, northbound on Division Street at First Canada Avenue, crashed through the pieces of municipal infrastructure before coming to a rest at the base of the Arby’s sign. The two light poles – those used to display the ‘stop’ and ‘go’ pedestrian signals – were blown clear out of their bases, pieces of debris scattered throughout the area. The fire hydrant was also knocked completely from its base, and the base of it underneath the vehicle, which was also extensively damaged as a result. Additionally, the plastic signage within the large Arby’s sign frame cracked from shifting due to the vehicle’s impact with the base of the sign.

Kingston Police, Kingston Fire and Rescue, and Frontenac Paramedics were all immediately dispatched to the incident, followed by Utilities Kingston crews to assess the damages and begin working to restore the destroyed lights, light poles, and hydrant. The intersection was closed off to traffic for several hours, both to allow for police investigation, and for Utilities Kingston work to take place. The vehicle involved was towed from the scene.

Having sustained no injuries, the female driver of the vehicle in question was arrested on the scene. She was charged with impaired driving, impaired operation of a conveyance (vehicle) while exceeding the legal blood alcohol concentration level, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, according to Const. Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police.

Kingston Police are expected to release further information on this incident later today, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. Kingstonist has also inquired with Utilities Kingston as to the cost of the damages incurred, and the timeline for all needed repairs. No response was received from Utilities Kingston by time of publication. Kingstonist will update this article if/when more information becomes available.