OPP respond to three instances of possible impaired driving in PEC over long weekend

The spate of impaired driving continues in Prince Edward County (PEC). Officers from the PEC detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to multiple impaired-related occurrences over the Labour Day long weekend.

The first took place shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. According to a release from the OPP, officers received a traffic complaint of a vehicle in a drive-through on Main Street Picton. Officers located the vehicle and spoke with the driver. As a result of further investigation, an approved screening device was administered.

Steven Burns, age 59 from Prince Edward County, was arrested and charged with:

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs/alcohol (alcohol)
• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit

Burns was released from custody and is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice later this month. The driver also had their vehicle impounded for a period of seven days and their licence suspended for 90 days.

Two days later, on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, shortly after 3 a.m., officers arrived at a parking lot on Loyalist Parkway near Picton where it was reported that a vehicle had struck a pole. According to the release, after speaking with the driver, an approved screening device was administered.

Emre-Ange Satilmis, age 21, from Montreal, Quebec, was charged with

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs/alcohol (alcohol)
• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit

This driver was released from custody and will also appear before the Ontario Court of Justice later this month. The driver also had their vehicle impounded for a period of seven days and their licence suspended for 90 days.

Around the same time, officers received a traffic complaint of a vehicle on County Road 18. The OPP said that officers located the vehicle and administered an approved screening device. As a result, the driver registered a warn range suspension. They had their licence suspended for a period of three days.

PEC OPP have expressed concern over the increased number of impaired drivers in the jurisdiction in 2023.

“Impaired driving has real dangers. The OPP would like to thank folks for remaining vigilant for impaired drivers. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call OPP to report at 1-888-310-1122. Plan a safe ride home and do not drive impaired,” the OPP stated.