A 36-year-old man from Barrie is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving while heavily impaired and being involved in two crashes Friday evening.
Barrie police began receiving reports shortly after 6 p.m. about a vehicle seen at several locations across the city. Investigators determined the driver and a passenger had been drinking earlier on Fairview Road before leaving in the vehicle.
Police say the first collision occurred at Ardagh Road and Hawkins Drive, where the vehicle rear-ended another car and then fled the scene. The second crash happened nearby at Mapleton Avenue and Silvercreek Crescent, where the vehicle allegedly ran a stop sign and struck two other vehicles.
Officers reported that the driver initially refused to exit the vehicle, while the 35-year-old passenger was being restrained by another individual. Police noted the smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath and found several alcohol containers inside the vehicle. Subsequent testing at police headquarters indicated the driver’s blood-alcohol level was more than two and a half times the legal limit.
The driver is now facing seven charges, including impaired driving, failure to stop after a collision, and operating a vehicle without a permit. The passenger has been charged with being intoxicated in a public place. No serious injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.