The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) launched the 2024 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign on November 21, aiming to curb impaired driving over the holiday season. The campaign will run until January 1, 2025. During the first week of the campaign (November 21-27), officers from the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment conducted 34 RIDE checks across the region.
Several individuals were charged as a result of the checks, including a 26-year-old Eganville resident. On November 24, Jimmy Wemigwans was stopped at a RIDE check in Pembroke at approximately 4:00 a.m. After failing a roadside screening test, Wemigwans was arrested and charged with impaired operation and having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 80mg. Wemigwans’ driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and his vehicle was impounded for seven days. He is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on December 17.
Another individual, 26-year-old Brodie Wittig of Laurentian Valley, was charged after a traffic stop on River Road in Pembroke at around 11:45 p.m. on November 21. Wittig was charged with impaired operation, having a BAC over 80mg, and driving without a proper rear light. His driver’s licence was also suspended for 90 days, and his vehicle was impounded for seven days. Wittig is scheduled to appear in court on December 23.
On November 23, a 31-year-old Ottawa man, Ahmad Arosto Assadi, was charged after fleeing from officers who attempted to stop his vehicle in Petawawa. Officers later located Assadi and seized cannabis and alcohol from the vehicle. Assadi faces multiple charges, including impaired operation by alcohol and drugs, flight from a peace officer, and having cannabis and alcohol readily available in the vehicle. His licence was suspended for 90 days, and his vehicle was impounded for seven days. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 17.
A fourth individual, 40-year-old Lindsay Welling of Petawawa, was also charged with impaired operation and having a BAC over 80mg on November 23, after an off-duty officer reported a possible impaired driver. Welling’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and their vehicle was impounded for seven days. Welling is set to appear in court on December 23.
The OPP encourages everyone to be responsible and refrain from impaired driving, especially during the festive season. These charges highlight the ongoing efforts to reduce impaired driving and keep the roads safe.
(Written by: Emma Butler)