Prince Edward County OPP charged four individuals with impaired driving over long weekend

The long weekend was a busy one for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and the Prince Edward County (PEC) Detachment was no exception.

According to a release from the PEC OPP, officers responded to four instances which resulted in impaired driving charges, two of which took place at Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, officers received a request for assistance from Provincial Park Wardens at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Officers attended the park and spoke to a driver. OPP said that an approved screening device was administered and the driver was arrested and transported to the detachment for further testing.

Evans Francoeur, age 50, from Mount-Saint-Hilaire Quebec was charged with:

• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol/drugs
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit
• Failure to have proof of insurance
• Driving a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor

The next evening, Saturday, Aug. 5, shortly after 5:30 p.m. officers received a traffic complaint in Picton. According to the release, officers located and spoke to the driver who refused to provide officers with identification. The driver was arrested. An approved screening device demand was provided and the driver refused to provide a sample, OPP said.

Jesse Hill, age 40, from Shannonville was charged with:

• Failure or refusal to comply with a demand
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Obstructing a peace officer
• Driving a motor vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device

Early in the morning of Sunday, Aug. 6, shortly after 3:30 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on Highway 62. According to the OPP, officers spoke to the driver and an approved screening device was administered. The driver was arrested and transported to the detachment for further testing.

As a result, Peter Vallejo, age 44, from Scarborough was charged with:

• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol/drugs
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit

Later Sunday morning, just before 8:30 a.m., officers received another request for assistance from Provincial Park Wardens at Sandbanks Provincial Park reporting someone to be operating a motorcycle on the beach. According to the release, after subsequent investigation an approved screening device was administered and the driver was arrested and transported to the detachment for further testing.

Jean-Marc Greeley, age 43, from Cote-Saint-Luc Quebec was charged with

• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol/drugs
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit
• Operating a vehicle off the roadway

Each of the above drivers was released from custody and scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date. The drivers also had their licences suspended for a period of 90 days and their vehicles impounded for seven days.

“Impaired driving has real dangers. The OPP would like to thank those who remain vigilant for impaired drivers. Plan a safe ride home and do not drive impaired,” the OPP stated.

To report impaired drivers, call 1.888.310.1122. Those who wish to remain anonymous, may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppersquinte.ca where tips may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.