NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
*************************
A 49-year-old man has been charged with impaired driving-related offences after he fled the scene of a motor vehicle collision.
On Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 shortly after 9 p.m., York Regional Police were called to the area of Yonge Street and Gamble Road in the City of Richmond Hill for a report of a single motor vehicle collision. A concerned citizen called 9-1-1 after witnessing a vehicle crash into a hydro box. A short time later, the male driver was seen running away from the scene.
Officers set up a perimeter in the area and called for the assistance of Air2 and the Canine Unit. After a brief search, the accused was located in a ravine near the scene of the collision. The accused was taken into custody and taken to #2 District Headquarters where he completed a breath test. As a result, he has been charged with impaired-related offences and his license has been suspended.
Charged:
• 49-year-old man from the City of Richmond Hill
Charges:
• Impaired operation
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Fail to remain
In 2019, York Regional Police received 3,500 calls to 911 to report suspected impaired drivers as part of our Safe Roads, Your Call program. That was an increase of nearly 18 per cent from the previous year. So far in 2020, we have received more than 2,300 calls to 9-1-1 to report suspected impaired drivers. Many of those calls have led to more than 1,300 criminal impaired-related charges being laid. If you see dangerous driving or behaviours on the road that could jeopardize the safety of motorists and pedestrians, you are encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately.
York Regional Police continues to remind residents that the safest amount of alcohol or drugs to consume before you drive is zero. We’re not giving up.
*************************
