Calgary man charged after suspected drunk driving crash in northern Ontario
A 37-year-old man from Calgary has been charged with failing to comply with demands for a breathalyzer following a single-vehicle crash on Highway 17.
Emergency crews were called to a collision involving one vehicle in West Nipissing shortly after 11 p.m. Sept. 23.
"The driver was transported to the local hospital by Nipissing Paramedic Services with non-life threating injuries," Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Monday morning.
"The driver was arrested for impaired driving and refused to provide a breath sample."
His driver's licence has been suspended for 90 days and his vehicle impounded for seven days.
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 3.
"Basically, the consequence for refusing a breath sample is the same as for impaired driving or blowing over the legal limit," Kruse Law, an Ontario criminal and DUI law firm, said on its website.
"In fact, the fine for a refusal conviction is the same as the aggravated fine for blowing over 160."
If found guilty, the penalty could include a $2,000 fine, 30 per cent victim fine surcharge and at least one-year driving prohibition.
"A person is entitled to refuse if it’s merely a wish or a want or an 'ask' where it appears the person actually has a choice regarding whether to provide a breath sample or not," Kruse Law said.
"In other words, the police are required to make a clear demand that the person has no choice but to comply with the demand or they will be charged with a refusal."
The allegation has not been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.