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Within the span of one hour on January 25th, Ontario Provincial Police in Sioux Lookout responded to two separate calls of impaired drivers.

The first incident occurred after 11 p.m. and resulted in a 38 year old man from Weagamow Lake First Nation being charged with:

• Operation while Impaired contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(b) of the Criminal Code

He has since been released from custody and expected to appear in court on March 21st.

Later that hour officers responded to a second call which resulted in the arrests of two women.

A 21 year old from Slate Falls First Nation has been charged with:

• Possession Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Operation while Impaired contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) contrary to Section 320.14 (1)(b) of the Criminal Code
• Dangerous Operation contrary to section 320.13(1) of the Criminal Code

Meanwhile a 20 year old also from Slate Falls First Nation faces the charges of:

• Possession Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to section 354(1)(A) of the Criminal Code
• Operation while Impaired contrary to Section 320.14 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code
• Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) contrary to Section 320.14 (1) (B) of the Criminal Code

A spokesperson for the OPP explains how two people were able to be charged for ‘Operation while Impaired’ in the one instance.

For that charge in general, the person does not necessarily need to be seated in the drivers seat upon police arriving to the call to be arrested and charged. Though investigation we can determine if someone else had operated that vehicle while their ability was impaired by any degree by alcohol and or drugs. This normally stems from witness accounts, video surveillance and or police observation at the time. This would allow us to charge more than one person with impaired operation from a single motor vehicle.

Both women were released from custody and will appear in court on March 14th.