**NEWS RELEASE – WELLINGTON COUNTY OPP**
On April 21, 2022 at approximately 7:45 a.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a traffic complaint on Wellington Road 10, Mapleton. It was reported that a black pickup truck had passed a school bus while its flashing lights and stop arm were activated. As a result of the investigation, the driver, a 27-year-old from Listowel, has been charged with Failing to Stop for School Bus Stop Arm contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.
On April 21, 2022 at approximately 2:30 p.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a traffic complaint on Bell Street, Palmerston. It was reported that a green pickup was being driven erratically. As a result of the investigation, Joseph Gerard WALTER, 68-years-old of Palmerston, has been charged with Impaired Operation and Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) contrary to the criminal code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
On April 22, 2022 at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a purple sedan on Sideroad 15, north of Elora. As a result of the investigation, the driver, a 17-year-old from Mount Forest, has been charged with Operate Motor Vehicle without Insurance contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act and two counts of Operate while Prohibited contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
On April 23, 2022, Wellington OPP were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) check on Tower Street South, Fergus. At approximately 12:30 a.m. a black pickup truck entered the check and failed to stop for police. As a result of the investigation, Ryan Christopher LEAHY, 30-years-old of Fergus, has been charged with Failing to Stop for Police contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear provincial offences court – Guelph at a later date.
On April 23, 2022 at approximately 2:00 a.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a red pickup truck on Colborne Street, Elora. As a result of the investigation, Caleb JOHNSTON, 26-years-old of Elora, has been charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
On April 23, 2022 at approximately 3:30 a.m., a Wellington Count OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a white pickup truck on John Street, Elora. As a result of the investigation, Daniel John BELLAMY, 36-years-old of Elora, has been charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
On April 23, 2022 at approximately 7:00 a.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a traffic complaint on the Hanlon Expressway North, Guelph. It was reported that a white sedan was being driven erratically. As a result of the investigation, Christian GARNETTE SALMON, 31-years-old of Toronto, has been charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code. The driver was also charged with Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine and Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Opioid contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling contrary to the Cannabis Act. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
On April 23, 2022 at approximately 4:00 p.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a red SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) on Scotland Street, Fergus. As a result of the investigation, Derek Fulton BOYLE, 55-years-old of Elora, has been charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code. The driver was also charged with Drive Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available contrary to the Cannabis Control Act 2017 and Novice Driver with a Blood Alcohol Concentration above Zero contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
On April 24, 2022, a member of the West Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) team was monitoring traffic on Wellington Road 12, Mapleton. At approximately 11:00 a.m. a white coupe was observed travelling above the posted 80km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, Bart BAUMAN, 27-years-old of Mount Forest, has been charged with Racing a Motor Vehicle contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph at a later date.
On April 25, 2022 at approximately 10:00 a.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop on a red coupe on Sideroad 17, Erin. As a result of the investigation, a 36 year-old from Guelph, has been charged with Operate a Motor Vehicle without Insurance contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, Drive Motor Vehicle – No Currently Validated Plate, Fail to Surrender Permit for Motor Vehicle and Obstruct Plate contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph at a later date.
On April 25, 2022 at approximately 3:30 p.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop on a commercial motor vehicle on Imperial Road North, south of Guelph. As a result of the investigation, a 78 year-old from Ariss has been charged with Drive Commercial Motor Vehicle – no license, Defective Braking System – Commercial Motor Vehicle, Insecure Load, Operate Commercial Motor Vehicle with Load not Secured as Prescribed, and Overweight on Tires x 2 contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph. The vehicle was also taken out of service for safety defects.
On April 26, 2022, a Wellington County OPP officer was conducting patrols on Wellington Road 29, in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa. At approximately 8:00 a.m. a white pickup truck was observed travelling above the posted 80km/hr limit. As a result of the investigation, a 31 year-old from Burlington has been charged with Racing a Motor Vehicle – Excessive Speed and Speeding 50+ km/h over Posted Limit. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph.
On April 26, 2022 at approximately 10:00 a.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop on a commercial motor vehicle in a school zone on East Mill Street, Elora. As a result of the investigation, a 41 year-old from Woodstock has been charged with Speeding and Failure to Carry Inspection Schedule contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. Further, a business out of Petersburg has been charged with Failure to Ensure Daily Inspection Report is Accurately Completed.
On April 26, 2022 at approximately 11:30 a.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop on a commercial motor vehicle on Tower Street South, in Fergus. As a result of the investigation, a business out of Guelph has been charged with Operate Commercial Vehicle – no valid CVOR certificate and Drive Motor Vehicle – No Currently Validated Permit.
On April 26, 2022 at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Wellington County OPP received a report of a white pickup truck that had lost a wheel while hauling a loaded trailer on Wellington Road 18, in Centre Wellington. As a result of the investigation, a 64 year-old from Grand Valley has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Part Detached, Operate Unsafe Vehicle, Draw Trailer – No Identification Number, Draw Trailer – No Plate, and Insecure Load contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph.
On April 26, 2022 at approximately 3:30 p.m., a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop on a commercial motor vehicle on Highway 6 in the Township of Mapleton. As a result of the investigation, a 27-year-old from Fergus has been charged with Failing to Surrender Completed Daily Inspection Report and Drive Motor Vehicle – Fail to Display Two Plates contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. Further, a business in Chilliwack, Ontario has been charged with Operate Commercial Motor Vehicle – No Valid CVOR Certificate and Fail to Ensure Daily Inspection Report is Accurately Completed.
On April 27, 2022 at approximately 5:00 p.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a vehicle collision on Concession 14, Mapleton. It was reported that blue sedan had entered the ditch. As a result of the investigation Shannon Edwinna JANES, 26-years-old of Cambridge, has been charged with Impaired Operation and Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
On April 28, 2022 at approximately 5:15 a.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a traffic complaint on Wellington Road 19, Belwood. Initial reports indicated a black coupe was speeding. As a result of the investigation, Vance William PAYNE, 19-years-old of Grand Valley, has been charged with Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle contrary to the Criminal Code and Flight from Police contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph at a later date.
Anyone charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100mL of blood) or Failing to Comply with Demand receives a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (A.D.L.S.) and 7-day Vehicle Impoundment as per statute.
Anyone charged with Racing a Motor Vehicle receives a 14 day impoundment and a 30 day driver’s licence suspension as per statute.
