Police beat: Assault at Meadows
FERGUS – A Barrie man is facing an assault charge following an incident at a local festival last weekend.
Wellington County OPP officials say police responded to a disturbance at The Meadows Music Festival at the Fergus sportsplex on May 30 at about 11pm.
“The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of this incident,” police stated in a press release.
Darryl White, 44, of Barrie, was charged with assault and is to appear in Guelph court on Aug. 21.
Drug charges
MOUNT FOREST – Two Wellington North residents have been charged with trafficking following a drug bust here last week.
Wellington County OPP officials say police “executed a search warrant at an address in Mount Forest in relation to a drug trafficking investigation” on May 29 at about 10:30pm.
“The search resulted in the seizure of suspected methamphetamine, suspected cocaine, suspected fentanyl and indicia related to drug trafficking,” police stated in a press release.
Ashley Hotchkiss, 34, of Arthur, and Paul Smyth, 49, of Mount Forest, were each charged with two counts of possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine and opioid other than heroin).
Smyth was also charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
He is to appear in Guelph court on Aug. 21. Hotchkiss is to appear in court on Aug. 18.
Careless driving
WELLINGTON NORTH – An Ajax resident has been charged with careless driving following a collision here last week.
Wellington County OPP officials say emergency crews responded to a collision involving an SUV and a transport truck at Wellington Road 109 and 3rd Line in Wellington North on May 27 at about 7:45am.
“The driver of the SUV was assessed by [paramedics] at the scene. No reported injuries were sustained,” police stated in a press release.
The driver of the transport truck, a 40-year-old from Ajax, was charged with careless driving and is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
More carelessness
ERIN – A G2 driver from Markham is charged with careless driving and failing to wear a seatbelt after a three-vehicle crash earlier this month that led to a vehicle rollover.
Wellington County OPP officials say emergency crews responded to the scene, at Sideroad 5 and Trafalgar Road, on May 16 at about 10am.
Police say they found a blue sedan “on its side ... on a nearby property, and a white sedan located in a nearby ditch,” while a white SUV “was found ... stationary on the roadway.”
The OPP added, “The driver of the rolled-over blue sedan went to hospital as a precaution. No other injuries were reported.”
A 21-year-old G2 driver from Markham was charged with careless driving and failing to properly wear a seatbelt. The accused is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
Partner violence
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.
Those arrested include:
– a 23-year-old from Fergus, who was charged with mischief (destroy or damage property) in relation to an incident in Fergus on May 26; and
– a 56-year-old from Fergus, who was tasered by police and then charged with assault (spousal), assault to resist arrest, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon and four counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
The accused individuals are to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
Driving charges
ERIN – An Orangeville driver was charged with several driving offences following a traffic stop in Erin.
Wellington County OPP officials say an officer stopped a vehicle on the 10th Line of Erin on May 27 at about 5:30pm.
Police say the cruiser’s automatic license plate recognition system “notified the officer of a vehicle that was potentially being operated with expired insurance.”
A 51-year-old from Orangeville was charged with driving without insurance, driving without a valid permit and failing to notify of a change of address.
The accused is to appear in Guelph court on Sept. 2.
Use your head on trails
ORILLIA – June 1 to 7 is ATV Safety Week in the province and police are taking the opportunity to encourage users of local trails to wear head protection, as half of ATV riders killed in OPP jurisdiction are not wearing a helmet.
“It’s a statistic that has seen little change in more than a decade and one that leaves no doubt about the risks of not protecting your head and your livelihood on the trails,” stated a May 29 press release from OPP headquarters.
Police say impaired driving is “another deadly risk” of operating an ATV, as alcohol/drug use is a contributing factor in almost half of OPP-investigated off-road vehicle fatalities.
“Sadly, when trail riders engage in these behaviours, it is their loved ones who pay the price. In some cases, it also costs the lives of innocent passengers,” police stated in the release.
According to OPP statistics, 41 passengers were among the 240 people killed in OPP-investigated off-road vehicle incidents between 2016 and 2025.
“In partnership with the Ontario Federation of All-terrain Vehicles (OFATV) Clubs, the OPP urges off-road vehicle drivers to avoid being part of the culture of riders who believe that the risks associated with not wearing a helmet, alcohol/drug use, speed and other dangerous behaviours are all part of their outdoor adventure and do not apply to them,” the OPP states.
Police say this is particularly important advice for parents/guardians of young people taking up off-roading for the first time.
“In support of ATV Safety Week, parents/guardians are encouraged to get youths and teens off to a great start as a rider by enrolling them in the Ontario’s Youth ATV Rider Training Program,” police state.
“Riders of all ages are encouraged to visit the OFATV Clubs website to familiarize themselves with how to make it home safely after every ride when enjoying this popular Ontario recreational sport.”
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Anyone with information about any of the above incidents can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at csgw.tips.
