Impaired Driver Also Faces Fail to Remain Charge

On February 5, 2022, at approximately 9:55 PM, Sarnia Police received the report of a motor vehicle with extensive front end damage, along with smoke, in the area of Vidal Street and Churchill Road. The vehicle was travelling eastbound on Churchill and according to the report the vehicle had also just struck a pole in the area.

As officers attended the area they observed debris at the intersection of Tashmoo Avenue and Churchill Road, which included a bumper on the roadway. Officers observed that the vehicle had pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. Once with the suspect vehicle officers observed smoke coming from the engine and that front airbags had been deployed. There was no one inside the car. They also observed a male walking eastbound on Churchill Road away from the vehicle.

Officers caught up to the male and arrested the suspect for failing to remain at the scene. As the investigations continued the suspect driver was also arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle.

The accused was transported to the Sarnia Police Headquarters in order to submit for a breath test to determine the quantity of alcohol in his blood. The accused did not provide samples as required and as a result was also charged with refusal to provide a breath sample.

The accused, Dwayne J Smith, 49 years of age, of Newfoundland, faces the following charges:

1. Operation of a vehicle while impaired
2. Failure to comply with demand
3. Failure to stop after an accident

It is also alleged that Mr. Smith was involved in a collision earlier in the evening where a parked car was struck in the area of Mitton Street and George Street and that the accused left the scene.

As a result of the charges Mr. Smith received a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension along with his vehicle being impounded for 7 days.

His first court date has been set for March 01, 2022, at 9:30 AM, at the Sarnia Lambton Court House Located at 700 Christina Street North.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca