Police say impaired driver on Hwy. 17 had open liquor

An OPP impaired driving logo. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A 45-year-old from Bruce Mines, Ont., has been charged after Ontario Provincial Police received a complaint this week about impaired driving in Blind River.

Police were tipped off around 9 p.m. about someone driving a white SUV in the community who appeared to be impaired.

"Another complaint advised that the impaired driver was travelling westbound on Highway 17 and may be driving home to Bruce Mines," police said in a news release Wednesday.

"At approximately 10:30 p.m. police located the SUV parked and running at the intersection of Highway 17 and Main Street in the Town of Iron Bridge."

A conversation with the driver quickly led police to determine they had been drinking and an arrest was made.

"While searching the vehicle, police located open containers of alcohol and a small amount of suspected cocaine," the release said.

"The driver was then transported to Blind River detachment for further testing. While at detachment the driver refused to provide a breath sample and was lodged until sober."

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Charges include failure or refusal to comply with demand, drug possession and driving with an open container of liquor.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Nov. 7.

The SUV was impounded for seven days and driver's licence was automatically suspended for 90 days.