A tip from the public led to a police investigation that ended with an Orillia woman arrested for impaired driving-related offences.
At 1 a.m. Friday morning, a passerby called police to report a female "who appeared to be under the influence" driving in the area of Highway 12 and Murphy Road, said the Orillia OPP in a media release.
Officers attended the area, located the vehicle and the female driver. Upon speaking with the driver, officers determined the female to be under the influence of an unknown substance, notes the media release.
As a result, Jessica Buttigieg, 30, of Orillia was charged with operation while impaired (drugs) contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia, to answer to the charges at a later date in January 2025. Her driver's licence was suspended for 90 days, and her vehicle was impounded for a period of 7 days.
"If you know or suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1," police urge. "In doing so, you may save a life. Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, impaired is impaired and driving under the influence of either is a criminal offence."
If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan to not drive, notes the media release. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or come up with another plan that takes impaired driving out of the picture.
