Young driver falsely claims COVID-19 positive to avoid a ticket

An officer with the Lennox and Addington County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a vehicle travelling on 401 westbound, near Shannonville Road, with an out of province plate that was not authorized to be on the vehicle on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver claimed to have COVID-19. Hastings-Quinte Paramedics EMS attended the scene and public health was notified. 

After over an hour at the scene, the investigation revealed that the G1 driver falsely stated he had COVID-19 in an attempt to avoid a ticket, according to a report from OPP, dated Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020.

A 22 year old male form Ohsweken, Ontario has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act with:

• G1 Licence holder – drive on prohibited highway
• G1 Licence holder – unaccompanied by qualified driver
• Operate unsafe vehicle
• Use plates not authorized for vehicle

While earlier charged with Obstruction under the Quarantine Act, the charge has now been downgraded to a warning.