A local restaurant employee is being credited for helping Barrie Police stop an allegedly impaired driver before he could leave a parking lot and enter traffic.
Barrie Police were called to a restaurant near Fairview Road and Essa Road at around 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 31st, after an employee reported that an intoxicated customer had left the establishment and entered a vehicle.
When officers arrived, they located the vehicle with its engine running and a man seated behind the wheel. Police say they immediately detected a strong odour of alcohol and observed a beer can in the vehicle’s centre console.
Officers also noted the driver had glossy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and difficulty maintaining his balance after exiting the vehicle.
The man was arrested and transported to Barrie Police Headquarters, where further testing was conducted. Police say the results indicated the driver was nearly four times the legal alcohol limit.
As a result, a 44-year-old Barrie man has been charged with impaired operation and operation while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit.
His vehicle was impounded and his driver’s licence was suspended under the Highway Traffic Act.
Barrie Police are reminding residents that impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of serious injuries and deaths on Ontario roads and encourage anyone who suspects a driver is impaired to call 911.
