A 40-year-old East Ferris man is facing multiple charges after allegedly crashing a UTV into a ditch during the Thunder Valley Semi Racing – Truck Rodeo in Papineau-Cameron Township.
Ontario Provincial Police responded to the incident shortly before midnight on Aug. 1 after an event volunteer reported a collision involving a side-by-side UTV. Officers found the vehicle in a ditch after it struck a large rock and arrested the driver after observing signs of impairment.
The investigation also revealed the UTV had been taken without the owner’s permission. The accused has been charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent, two impaired driving offences, including operating with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit, and failing to comply with a probation order.
The man received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension, was released from custody, and is scheduled to appear in a North Bay court on Sept. 8.