Police Beat: Guelph man faces 12 charges after ditching car

CENTRE WELLINGTON – A Guelph man faces a dozen charges after police responded to a report about a car in a ditch here.

On April 29 at about 5am, Wellington County OPP received a report of a single-vehicle collision on Wellington Road 7, north of Elora.  

Police say a silver hatchback had left the roadway and the driver was transported to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.

Taylor McKinstry, 29, of Guelph, was charged with impersonation with intent, resisting a peace officer, driving while suspended, careless driving, possession of a Schedule I substance, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000) and five counts of failing to comply with a release order.

The accused is to appear in Guelph court at a later date. 

Careless driving charge

BELWOOD – On April 28 at about 5:15am, Wellington County OPP responded to a traffic complaint on Wellington Road 19 here.

Police say “initial reports indicated a black coupe was speeding.”

Vance William Payne, 19, of Grand Valley, was charged with racing, careless driving, dangerous driving and flight from police. He is to appear in Guelph court.

Ran through RIDE

FERGUS – A local man has been charged after a truck failed to stop for a RIDE program here recently.

On April 23 at about 12:30pm, Wellington OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program on Tower Street South in Fergus.

Police say a black pickup truck entered the check and failed to stop for officers.

Ryan Christopher Leahy, 30, of Fergus, was charged with failing to stop for police. The defendant is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Didn’t stop for school bus

MAPLETON – On April 21 at about 7:45am, Wellington County OPP responded to a traffic complaint on Wellington Road 10 here.

“It was reported that a black pickup truck had passed a school bus while its flashing lights and stop arm were activated,” police stated in a press release.

A 27-year-old from Listowel was charged with failing to stop for school bus.

Teen driver falls asleep

PERTH EAST – A Mapleton teen has been charged after driving a vehicle into a field here.

On April 16 just before 6pm, Perth County OPP was called to a single-vehicle collision on Perth Road 107 in Perth East.

Police say “it was determined that the driver fell asleep” and the vehicle “left the roadway and entered a farm field.” The driver was not injured. 

A 16-year-old from Wallenstein was charged with careless driving.

Truck loses wheel

CENTRE WELLINGTON – A Grand Valley resident has been charged after a vehicle lost a tire here.

On April 26 at about 12:30pm, the Wellington County OPP received a report of a white pickup truck that had lost a wheel while hauling a loaded trailer on Wellington Road 18. 

A 64-year-old from Grand Valley has been charged with driving a vehicle with a part detached, driving an unsafe vehicle, towing a trailer with no ID number, towing a trailer with no plate and hauling an insecure load. The defendant is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Guelph driver and business charged

GUELPH – On April 17 at about 11am a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a commercial vehicle on Woodlawn Road West. 

The driver, a 39-year-old from Guelph, was charged with driving a commercial vehicle without a valid permit and failing to surrender a complete daily inspection report. 

A Guelph business was charged with allowing a person with an improper licence  to drive a commercial vehicle, operating a commercial vehicle without a valid  commercial vehicle operator’s registration (CVOR), and failing to display an inspection sticker or proof.

Teen faces numerous driving charges

WELLINGTON NORTH – On April 19 at about 4am a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a commercial vehicle on Wellington Road 109 here.

The driver, a 17-year-old from Amaranth, was charged with failing to stop at a red light, no red light on rear of trailer, failing to display an inspection sticker, failing to surrender a permit, failing to surrender an insurance card, failing to surrender a CVOR certificate, and failing to surrender a completed daily inspection report. 

The driver is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Disqualified driver

FERGUS – On April 17 at about 10:15am a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a white pickup truck on Albert Street.

James William Fetterly, 61, of Guelph, was charged with driving while disqualified.

No insurance

CENTRE WELLINGTON – On April 22 a Wellington County OPP officer initiated a traffic stop of a sedan on Sideroad 15, north of Elora. 

A 17-year-old from Mount Forest was charged with driving without insurance and two counts of driving while prohibited. 

The accused is to appear in Guelph court.