NORTHERN ONTARIO

Northern Ontario man suspected of riding lawnmower while drunk charged

Chelsea Papineau CTVNorthernOntario.ca Journalist

Published Wednesday, July 22, 2020 9:21AM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, July 22, 2020 1:44PM EDT

Experts say that people should clear their yards of any major objects or debris and keep kids and pets away when mowing the lawn.

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SUDBURY -- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged a northwestern Ontario man suspected of operating a ride-on lawnmower while impaired.

Officers received a call Monday around 1:49 p.m. about a possible impaired driver operating a lawnmower in the Township of Ear Falls, OPP said in a news release.

"The accused was riding his lawnmower on both a public street, as well, on lawns within the Township of Ear Falls," said Const. Joel Eppinghaus, the court officer for OPP's Red Lake and Pikangikum detachments.

A 48-year-old man from the small town north of Dryden was found, arrested and brought to the OPP detachment for further testing.

As a result, he has been charged with:

Operation while impaired
Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80 plus

He has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. in Red Lake.

"The OPP want to remind the public that operating a truck, car or lawnmower, vessel such as a fishing boat, Jet Ski, kayak or canoe, while impaired by drug or alcohol can result in drivers licence suspensions, fines, vehicle impoundments, criminal records & increased insurance costs," said OPP. "Please drive responsibly, don't drink and drive."

Members of the public are urged to report suspected impaired driving by call 911 in an emergency and other dangerous driving complaints can be made at 1-888-310-1122.

"From Friday, July 17 to Monday, July 20 we charged six individuals with impaired, ranging from operating vessels, cars, trucks and now even a riding lawn mower," said Const. Eppinghaus.