Tillsonburg man charged with dangerous driving in Wawa

Article content

A Tillsonburg man bolted when his car rear-ended a vehicle on Highway 17 in Wawa after passing other vehicles unsafely in the area on Tuesday afternoon.

He didn’t stop to speak with Ontario Provincial Police when officers were at the scene of a drug seizure 10 kilometres south of the community, said Const. Trevor Tremblay. The man “went around” where police were stopping automobiles.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Tillsonburg man charged with dangerous driving in Wawa Back to video

His car went “flying by” other cruisers and he nearly hit another police car when he was passing northbound traffic in the southbound lane, said Tremblay.

The man struck the back of a northbound truck on Highway 17, near Pinewood Drive. The truck ended up in a ditch. The man driving the car got out and fled, but was found a short time later by the Wawa Municipal Airport.

He, and the driver of the truck, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Severe damage was reported to both vehicles.

Police are “not 100 per cent certain” of the reasons for the man’s aggressive driving, said Tremblay.

Stephen Wilson, 64, of Tillsonburg, was charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm and fail to stop at accident resulting in bodily harm.

His court date is July 6 in Wawa, Ont., north of Sault Ste. Marie.

***

OPP investigate assault at Tillsonburg-area store

On Monday, May 11, at approximately 8:16 a.m., the Ontario Provincial Police, Norfolk County Detachment investigated an assault after being called to a Simcoe Street, Tillsonburg-area grocery store.

It was determined that two customers shopping in a grocery store became involved in a verbal altercation which turned into a physical confrontation over the failure to wear a facial mask while shopping.

The suspect involved left the store in an unknown direction. Police are continuing to investigate and will be reviewing security surveillance footage in an attempt to identify the individual involved in this incident.

If anyone has any information, they are being asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 – 800 – 222 – 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

The investigation is continuing.

On Wednesday, April 29, Norfolk County OPP investigated at the same grocery store on Simcoe Street, east of Tillsonburg, after an individual became involved in verbal altercation with a store employee which turned into a physical confrontation. As a result, police charged a 36-year-old Toronto resident with assault.

***

Oxford OPP investigate suspected drug overdose

On Saturday May 9, at approximately 4 a.m., the Oxford County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a suspected drug overdose on Broadway in Tillsonburg.

Members of the OPP along with Oxford County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended. A 21-year-old was located unresponsive, and life saving measures were initiated. The individual was transported to hospital and later pronounced deceased.

Investigators are awaiting the results of toxicology tests to help determine the cause of death however it is being treated as a drug overdose death.

This sudden death certainly highlights the fact that the misuse and abuse of controlled substances is dangerous and can be deadly.

If you suspect someone is overdosing or is in need of medical attention, immediately call 9-1-1 and stay with the victim. It is extremely important to know what someone has ingested, not only for the safety of everyone responding, but to assist in determining the potential cause of death.

Please remember the OPP supports Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act that provides protection from charges for individuals at the scene of a drug overdose for simple drug possession.

Individuals looking for local supports may contact their health care provider, Southwestern Public Health, Addiction Services, or the Drug & Alcohol Help Line at 1-800-565-8603.

The OPP is focused on maintaining public safety, respecting the victim and family members, and protecting the integrity of the investigative process during this investigation.

***

OPP investigate assault in Norwich

On May 11, the Oxford County Ontario Provincial Police received a report of an assault on Tidey Street, Norwich.

Investigation determined that several teenagers attended the area where a verbal altercation began, which then escalated into a physical confrontation.

A 19-year-old was transported to hospital by Oxford County Emergency Medical Services, to be treated for non-life threatening injuries caused by an edged weapon.

The Oxford County OPP Major Crime Unit is continuing to investigate and is seeking the public’s assistance.

Anyone with information about this investigation, including any potential video surveillance from recording equipment such as dash cameras or doorbell ring cameras, is asked to contact the Oxford County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit an online tip at www.oxfordcrimestoppers.com where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

***

35-year-old driver charged with stunt driving in Houghton

On Monday, May 11, an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police Norfolk County Detachment stopped and investigated a vehicle at a North Road, Houghton address.

An officer was on patrol on Glen Meyer Road near North Road when a vehicle attracted the officer’s attention. The vehicle was stopped and investigated, and the driver was taken into custody without incident.

As a result, police charged a 35-year-old male of Norfolk County with Race a Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt; and Drive Motor Vehicle – No Currently Validated Permit.

OPP are reminding all motorists that the minimum fine if convicted is $2,000 and an automatic driver’s licence suspension for seven days and seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The driver is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice, Simcoe at a later date.

***

Road fatalities increasing in Ontario

As the Ontario Provincial Police looks toward ‘Canada Road Safety Week,’ it is reporting an increase in road fatalities.

As of May 4, 2020, 71 people have died in fatal collisions on OPP-patrolled roads. At this time last year, there were 61 deaths.

While speed is linked to the highest number of fatalities (17 this year), inattentive-related deaths (12) have seen the most significant spike and are up 300 per cent over last year.

All other leading traffic fatality causal factors are up, as are fatal collisions and pedestrian deaths:

OPP 2020 traffic data

Number of fatal collisions – UP 10.5%

Persons killed – UP 16.4%

Speed-related fatalities – UP 13.3%

(Lack of) seat belt-related fatalities – UP 25%

Inattentive-related fatalities – UP 300%

Alcohol/drug-related fatalities – 20%

Pedestrians fatalities – UP 75%

“Drivers need to carefully consider the main behaviours and actions that are linked to the many lives lost on our roads every year. Fatigue and prescription drug use are forms of impaired driving. Aggressive driving isn’t just about speeding, it includes tail-gaiting and other unsafe maneuvers. Distracted driving isn’t just about cell phones, it’s also about programming your GPS or eating behind the wheel. Safe drivers mean safe roads. Drive like your life depends on it, because it does,” said OPP Chief Superintendent Rohan Thompson, Commander, Highway Safety Division in a media release.

During Canada Road Safety Week (May 12-18) the OPP is joining police services across Canada, ensuring drivers and other roads users are helping to keep roads safe.

QUICK FACTS

A total of 335 people died in 304 fatal collisions on OPP-patrolled roads in 2019.

The OPP responded to 74,771 collisions last year, marking a five-year high.

— with files from Brian Kelly (The Sault Star)BTKelly@postmedia.com