Driver Fleeing Police Crashes into Construction Site as Five Impaired Arrests Made in Guelph

One of the weekend arrests began with an automated plate reader alert and ended with a crash in a construction zone and a foot chase. Police say four other impaired driving arrests followed across the city between Friday and Saturday.

Five drivers were arrested for impaired driving in Guelph over the long weekend, including one who fled from police and crashed in a construction site early Saturday.

Just after 2 a.m. a Guelph Police Service officer was patrolling on Woolwich Street when his cruiser’s automated license plate reader alerted to a possible suspended driver. The driver fled when the officer activated his emergency lights, driving through a red light into the construction site on Speedvale Avenue East where he collided with construction materials. He fled on foot but was arrested a short time later.

A 21-year-old Guelph man is charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, refusing to provide a breath sample, failing to stop at an accident and several Highway Traffic Act offences.

Also this weekend:

• A 31-year-old Guelph man was arrested for impaired driving and failing to stop after an accident following a two-vehicle collision Friday morning near Gordon Street and Cork Street
• A 52-year-old Guelph man was charged with impaired driving after he was caught drinking a beer in a vehicle in a north-end parking lot Friday afternoon.
• A 67-year-old Guelph man was arrested for impaired driving and dangerous driving following a two-vehicle collision Friday evening at Paisley Road and Silvercreek Parkway North.
• A 25-year-old Stratford woman was arrested for impaired driving and refusing to comply with a demand after officers noted an odour of burned marijuana during a traffic stop on Woolwich Street Saturday evening.

Each of the accused had their licenses suspended for 90 days and their vehicles impounded for seven days. They were released with upcoming court dates.

The Guelph Police Service would like to encourage the public to be responsible if they choose to consume alcohol and cannabis. Please don’t drive if you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, and please ensure that you plan ahead so that you have a safe ride home. Anyone who spots a suspected impaired driver is asked to immediately call 911. (Occurrence numbers GU26021453, GU26021535, GU26021555, GU26021636, GU26021772)