NORTHUMBERLAND-On March 18, 2026, at approximately 3:50 p.m., an officer was parked in a fully marked cruiser off Oak Ridges Drive in the Township of Hamilton. A second officer, travelling on the same road in an unmarked cruiser, was approached by an oncoming pick-up truck whose driver flashed their headlights according to police.
Police say the motorist was stopped, and after speaking with the driver, officers began an impaired operation investigation. The individual was taken into custody, and an open container of liquor was observed inside the vehicle.
50-year-old Benjamin Latchford from Lindsay, has been charged with:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Failure or refusal to comply with demand
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Fail to use lower beam – oncoming
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in April, 2026. A 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension (ADLS) and a seven-day vehicle impound were also imposed.
“We would like to remind the public that intentionally flashing headlights to alert other motorists to upcoming police presence can interfere with ongoing investigations and compromise public safety. Such actions may unintentionally warn impaired drivers, suspended drivers, individuals operating unsafe vehicles, or persons involved in criminal activity. It may also hinder police responses to time-sensitive matters such as Amber Alerts.” said police. “The Northumberland OPP also would like to remind the public that failing to provide a suitable sample of breath or blood upon an officers demand, carries the same consequences as ‘Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs’, and ‘Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)’.”
Learn more about the consequences and penalties of driving impaired at:Â Impaired driving | ontario.ca
