Sudbury police lay impaired driving charges against man who ran from party bus crash

A 35-year-old man has been charged with impaired and dangerous driving after fleeing the scene of a crash in Sudbury's Valley area on foot.

Officers were dispatched to the intersection of MR80 and Main Street in Val Caron around 11:25 p.m. July 27 following a crash, police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email.

Sudbury police are investigating a crash between a white Ford pickup truck and 12-person party bus at Main Street and MR80 in Val Caron July 27, 2024. (Peter Schaj/Nite Lite Limousine/Facebook)

"Information provided was that two individuals from one of the vehicles fled the scene on foot," Dunn said.

Peter Schaj owns Nite Lite Limousine and told CTV News in a phone interview it was his 12-passenger party bus that was hit by a white Ford pickup truck.

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"It was turning left on Main Street toward Hanmer on MR80," Schaj said.

"The pickup was going south on MR80 (towards downtown)."

Adding there were two passengers on board the party bus along with the driver at the time of the crash.

He posted photos of the aftermath on social media.

"It was hit by an impaired guy who blew through a red light," Schaj said.

"The man and woman from the truck left the scene running away."

Sudbury police are investigating a crash between a white Ford pickup truck and 12-person party bus at Main Street and MR80 in Val Caron July 27, 2024Sudbury police are investigating a crash between a white Ford pickup truck and 12-person party bus at Main Street and MR80 in Val Caron July 27, 2024. (Peter Schaj/Nite Lite Limousine/Facebook)

She described the two people who ran away from the scene as a bald man, 35-45, wearing a shirt and dark pants and a woman who was wearing a black dress.

Dunn confirmed the man was arrested Sunday and charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operation while impaired and failing to stop after an accident.

He was released on an appearance notice with a court date of Aug. 14," Dunn said.

"No injuries were reported at the time of the collision. The investigation is ongoing."

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Sudbury police are investigating a crash between a white Ford pickup truck and 12-person party bus at Main Street and MR80 in Val Caron July 27, 2024. (Peter Schaj/Nite Lite Limousine/Facebook)

Schaj said having the vehicle out of service would affect his business as it is "primetime wedding season."

"This will cause a tremendous effect on everyone who booked this vehicle for future events," he said in a social media post.

"I promise that I will deal with this situation immediately and will have another party bus available soon. My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause to anyone. All other car or luxury coach services are still available."

It will be very hard to find a replacement for the totalled vehicle due to a lack of inventory, the chauffeur said.

A close of of the damage to Nite Lite Limousine's 12-passenger party party bus following a collision in Greater Sudbury's Valley area on July 27, 2024. (Supplied/Peter-Schaj)

"Don't f*%&ing drink and drive," Schaj said.

"There are so many ways to get home."

Sudbury police are investigating a crash between a white Ford pickup truck and 12-person party bus at Main Street and MR80 in Val Caron July 27, 2024. (Peter Schaj/Nite Lite Limousine/Facebook)

A photo showing the damage to Nite Lite Limousine's 12-passenger party party bus following a collision in Greater Sudbury's Valley area on July 27, 2024. (Supplied/Peter-Schaj)