OPP charge two individuals with impaired driving on Halloween night

On a night when little ghouls and goblins were out playing Trick-or-Treat, members of the Lennox and Addington (L&A) County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) took two unsafe drivers off the roadways.

At approximately 8:06. p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, the OPP were dispatched to a traffic complaint of a possible impaired driver on Wright Place by Old Orchard Road. 

“Alert members of the public noticed a vehicle driving around in the area back and forth. They spoke with the driver of the vehicle and noticed signs of impairment. They called 911 and kept the driver there until police arrived, ” the OPP said in a media release. “Officers arrived on scene and noted the driver of the vehicle was showing signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested.”

As a result of this investigation, L&A County OPP have charged Sean Dehaan, age 38, of Bath, Ontario, with:

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol/drugs
• Failure or refusal to comply with a demand

Later that evening, at approximately 11:38 p.m., L&A OPP officers were on patrol and stopped a vehicle on Barrett Street in Napanee. According to the release, officers were out talking with the driver when he suddenly drove off, fleeing from police.

“The vehicle crashed into a tree a short distance down the road. The driver of the vehicle and a passenger fled the scene on foot,” the OPP said.

The OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Canine Unit were called to assist in locating the two suspects. According to the release, the driver of the vehicle was located by the Canine Unit in a wooded area a short distance from the vehicle and was arrested. The passenger of the vehicle was not located.

As a result of this investigation, L&A County OPP have charged Zachary Martin, age 22, of Central Frontenac Township, with:

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol/drugs
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Failure to stop after an accident
• Flight from a peace officer

Both accused were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee before the end of the year. Their licences were suspended for 90 days, and the vehicles were impounded for seven days.