NEWS RELEASE WELLINGTON COUNTY OPP
(COUNTY OF WELLINGTON, ON) – Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to consolidate and streamline our notable traffic offences and publish a single weekly release.
On September 3, 2022, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a single vehicle collision on Twelfth Line, Mapleton. It was reported a single vehicle with occupants was in the ditch. As a result of investigation, driver, Donovan WATT, 41-years-old of Fergus and passenger, Christine, Therese CUSHING, 43-years-old of Elora, were both charged with Possession of Schedule I – Cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The driver was also charged with Careless Driving and Drive while Suspended contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. Both are scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 3, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on Silvercreek Parkway North, Guelph. At approximately 8:45 a.m., a silver coupe was observed travelling well above the posted 70km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, Andrew Joseph BALDWIN, 18-years-old from Guelph, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt, Fail to Wear Seatbelt and Drive with Windshield/Window Coated contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. They were also charged with Dangerous Operation contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice- Guelph, at a later date.
On September 3, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on Silvercreek Parkway North, Guelph. At approximately 10:45 a.m., a gold pick-up truck was observed travelling well above the posted 50km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, an 18-year-old driver from Niagara Falls, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt, Drive without a Valid Permit and Insecure Load contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. They were also charged with Operate Motor Vehicle without Insurance contrary to the Compulsorily Automobile Insurance Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 3, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on Silvercreek Parkway North, Guelph. At approximately 12:30 p.m., a white platform truck was observed travelling well above the posted 50km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, a 56-year-old driver from Gwillimbury, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt, Display Screen Visible and Fail to Wear Seatbelt contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in the provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 3, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on South Street, Elora. At approximately 2:30 p.m., a black sedan was observed travelling well above the posted 50km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, a 54-year-old driver from Brampton, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 3, 2022, Wellington County OPP were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) check on Conservation Road, north of Guelph. At approximately 3:30 p.m., a grey Sport Utility Vehicle (S.U.V.) entered the check. As a result of the investigation, Sara Nohemi UBEDA, 35-years-old of Cambridge, has been charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mg of alcohol per 100mL 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 September 4, 2022, at approximately 12:15 a.m., a member of the Wellington County OPP observed signs of a single vehicle collision on Wellington Road 109, west of Arthur. The vehicle involved was no longer at scene, leaving two Honda hub caps a taillight and a mud guard. Police continue to investigate the collision and are looking to identify the vehicle and driver involved. If you have information about this collision, please call investigators at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) if you’d like to remain anonymous.
On September 4, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on Highway 6, Nichol Township. At approximately 7:00 p.m., a black sedan was observed travelling well above the posted 80km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, a 24-year-old driver from Guelph, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 4, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on Highway 6, Guelph/Eramosa. At approximately 9:00 a.m., a white pick-up truck was observed travelling well above the posted 80km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, an 18-year-old driver from Elora, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt, Follow too Closely and No Mudguards contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 4, 2022, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a member of the Wellington County
OPP stopped the driver of a white pick-up truck on Highway 6, Geulph/Eramosa. As a result of the investigation, an 18-year-old driver of Elora has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle not in Accordance with Emissions Regulations, No Muffler and Knowing Operated a Vehicle – Missing Emission Control Equipment contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offence court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 4, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on Highway 6, Nichol Township. At approximately 1:00 p.m., a black sedan was observed travelling well above the posted 80km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, a 25-year-old driver from Guelph, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 4, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on South Street, Elora. At approximately 1:30 p.m., a black hatchback was observed travelling well above the posted 50km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, a 21-year-old driver from Kitchener was charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt and Fail to Surrender Licence contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 5, 2022, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a single vehicle collision on Glasgow Street, Mount Forest. It was reported a single vehicle was in the ditch. As a result of the investigation, Edward Ernest HATHERLY, 61-years-old of Harriston, was charged with Impaired Operation contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 5, 2022, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a traffic complaint on Wellington Road 7, Mapleton. It was reported that a grey S.U.V. was being driven erratically. As a result of the investigation, Petro KUC, 59-years-old of Brantford, was charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mg of alcohol per 100mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code. The driver was also charged with Drive Motor Vehicle with an Open Container of Liquor, contrary to the Liquored Licence Act and Drive Left of Centre – Approaching Crest of Grade, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 5, 2022, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a member of the Wellington County OPP stopped the driver of a black sedan on Colquhoun Street, Fergus. As a result of the investigation, Christen FISHER-GARNETT, 28-year-old of Brampton, has been charged with Failing to Comply with a Probation Order contrary to the Criminal Code and with two counts of Driving While Suspended contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 5, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on the Hanlon Expressway, Guelph. At approximately 9:15 p.m., a black sedan was observed travelling well above the posted 70km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, a 21-year-old driver from Morton Grove, Illinoi, was charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 5, 2022, a member of the Wellington County OPP was monitoring traffic on East Mill Street, Elora. At approximately 10:15 p.m., a grey S.U.V. was observed travelling well above the posted 40km/hr speed limit. As a result of the investigation, a 16-year-old driver from Tara, was charged with Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court – Guelph, at a later date.
On September 6, 2022, at approximately 12:15 a.m., a member of the Wellington County OPP stopped the operator of a modified e-bike on York Road, Guelph. As a result of the investigation, a 41-year-old driver from Guelph has been charged with three counts of Driving while Suspended contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in provincial offences court- Guelph, at a later date.
On September 6, 2022, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Wellington County OPP responded to a two-vehicle collision on Wellington Street North, Drayton. It was reported a driver had struck a parked vehicle. As a result of the investigation, Michael James O’CALLAGHAN, 24-year-old of Erin, has been charged with Impaired Operation contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario court of justice – Guelph, at a later date.
Preliminary results are in from the provincial Labour Day Traffic Safety Campaign in Wellington County and here are some of the local highlights. 16 seat belt offences, two distracted driving offenders, 13 Stunt Driving offenders and 51 non “Big4” offences were identified. Wellington County OPP are proud to be a contributor in enhancing safety on roadways. (The “Big4” are the four leading offences, recognized by the OPP, that threaten road safety in Ontario. These include offences related to speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and wearing safety belts.)
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 a 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.
If you have an urgent traffic complaint or if you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol, please call 911 immediately. If you have a non-emergency traffic complaint, you may also call 1-888-310-1122 or www.opp.ca/reportacrime. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at www.csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.
