PETERBOROUGH-Peterborough County OPP and emergency crews responded to the scene of a single-vehicle motor vehicle collision that resulted in a vehicle entering the Otonabee river.
At approximately 10:15pm on Sunday December 22, 2024, Peterborough County OPP were dispatched to a report of a vehicle that had entered the Otonabee river at County Road 32 in Douro-Dummer Township. The caller advised that they came across debris from a collision and saw the vehicle partially submerged in the water. They called out but did not get any response. The caller advised they could see footprints coming up from the shoreline.
Officers and emergency crews attended the scene and found a passenger vehicle in the water with side windows open and airbags having been deployed but there was no one with the vehicle. Officers conducted patrols of the area and eventually contacted the driver by phone. The driver stated they had struck black ice causing them to hit a tree and then enter the river. The driver advised they had received a ride and were fine and were reluctant to provide their location. Officers determined where they were and attended an address in Lakefield.
Officers spoke with the driver and during the conversation and say they were able to detect the odour of an alcoholic beverage. Officers read the driver the ASD (Approved Screening Device) demand and the driver provided a sample of their breath resulting in a ‘ALERT’. The driver was issued a 3-day suspension.
The driver, a 17-year-old male from Peterborough was charged with four offences under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA):
- Careless Driving
- Novice Driver B.A.C. above zero
- Fail to report accident
- Fail to remain
