Kingston man arrested for impaired driving after fleeing collision with tree

As the snow and wind made for already difficult driving conditions, one local man was arrested after he drove off the road in downtown Kingston and collided with a tree.

According to Kingston Police, the man was driving in the 500 block of Rideau Street at approximately 8:05 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 1, 2021, when he lost control of his vehicle and drove off the roadway and across a sidewalk before colliding with a tree and coming to a stop.

Police were called and responding officers found the vehicle deserted, however, witnesses in the area indicated that the accused man left the scene walking south on Rideau Street after striking the tree. Police located the man shortly thereafter as he was walking while carrying a case of beer.

The officer who located the man made observations that he was impaired by alcohol and, after further investigation, the man was arrested at approximately 8:20 p.m., police said. He was then transported to Kingston Police Headquarters, where he provided two breath samples. Those tests found that the accused man had more than two and a half times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

The 56-year-old Kingston man was charged with impaired operation of a conveyance (vehicle), and impaired operation of a conveyance while exceeding the legal blood alcohol concentration limit. He was released with a future court date, and his driver’s licence was automatically suspended for 90 days. If convicted, the accused man will face a minimum one-year licence suspension. Additionally, his vehicle was seized and impounded for seven days. The accused man will be responsible for all related fees and fines.