Napanee man facing criminal charges after driving impaired with children in vehicle

A Greater Napanee man is facing impaired driving charges after concerned citizens, who witnessed a loud argument, stopped him from driving away from a residence with his two young children in the vehicle.

Officers of the Lennox and Addington (L&A) County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to the report of a possible impaired driver attempting to leave a residence in Greater Napanee at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.

According to a release from OPP, after hearing a loud argument, witnesses observed a male party trying to drive away with his two young children in the vehicle. Concerned citizens prevented the male from leaving until police arrived on scene, OPP said. A roadside Approved Screening Device was utilized and the driver was subsequently arrested and transported to detachment for further testing. The children were returned to a safe place and Family and Children’s Services was contacted. 

As a result of the investigation L&A County OPP have arrested and charged a 38-year-old male from Greater Napanee with:

• Operation While Impaired – alcohol and drug, and
• Operating a motor vehicle while over legal blood alcohol limit.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee in September 2021. The accused’s licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. He will be responsible for all related fees and fines.

The name of the accused is not being released in order to protect the identity of other parties.