OPP charge five impaired drivers in Prince Edward County in as many days

The Prince Edward County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to investigate multiple impaired-related offences each week. Since Friday Apr. 29, 2022, five drivers have been charged with impaired driving offences by OPP in Prince Edward County.

Shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 29, 2022, officers were on patrol and observed a vehicle weaving in its lane. According to a release from the OPP, the vehicle was stopped on Johnson Street in Picton and an approved screening device was administered. As a result, the driver was arrested and taken to the detachment for further testing.

Jason Terpstra, age 47 from Prince Edward County, was charged with the following:  

• Operation while impaired
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

Terpstra was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Picton later this month. The driver had their licence suspended for a period of 90 days and vehicle impounded for 7 days, and will be responsible for all related fees and fines.

Later in the evening, shortly before 11 p.m., OPP said that officers observed a vehicle on Highway 62 with a burnt out headlight. As a result a 54-year-old from Belleville was charged with drive motor vehicle – not equipped with ignition interlock device and class G1 licence holder- unaccompanied by qualified driver. The vehicle was impounded for a period of 45 days and the driver was issued a summons for court.

The following day, Saturday Apr. 30, 2022, shortly before 10 p.m., officers responded to Consecon for a report of a weapons complaint. According to the release, an individual was found setting off fireworks and found to have been consuming alcohol while operating a vehicle. A 21-year-old from Belleville was charged with drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available as well as driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available.

On Sunday, May 1, 2022, shortly after 3 a.m., officers were conducting a RIDE program on Highway 62 in Rossmore when they suspected a vehicle driver had been consuming alcohol and administered an approved screening device. A 20-year-old driver from Prince Edward County was charged with novice driver – blood alcohol concentration above zero.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, officers were on patrol on County Road 10 when a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation, according to the release. As a result of the investigation, the driver was arrested. Ryan Allworth, age 25 from Belleville, was charged with the following offences:

• Operation while impaired
• Failure or refusal to comply with demand

Allworth was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Picton in June 2022. The driver had their licence suspended for a period of 90 days and vehicle impounded for 7 days, and will be responsible for all related fees and fines.

Drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs continue to pose a threat on Prince Edward County roads, OPP said. According to the release, OPP has enforcement programs in place to detect impaired driving whether alcohol or drug. The OPP said they are committed to ensuring our roads are safe from impaired drivers.

The OPP would like to remind drivers that novice drivers are prohibited from having any alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle or vessel.