Police Beat: Operator charged after lake rescue

GUELPH-ERAMOSA – On Sept. 6 at about 6:45pm, Wellington County OPP responded to a marine emergency on Guelph Lake. 

“It was reported that two individuals, whom could not swim, were stranded on an inflatable vessel in the lake,” police stated in a Sept. 8 press release.

“Emergency services responded and the two were rescued.”

A 22-year-old operator from Kitchener was charged with operating a human-powered pleasure craft without personal flotation devices or lifejackets and failing to have a whistle or efficient sound signal.

Cyclist, mini-van collide

FERGUS – On Sept. 1 at about 5:45pm, Wellington County OPP responded to a two-vehicle collision on St. David Street South here.

Police say “a cyclist and minivan had collided, and the cyclist suffered minor injuries.”

A 41-year-old cyclist from Fergus was charged with making an unsafe turn.

Driving charges

ELORA – On Sept. 1 at about 2:45pm, a Wellington County OPP officer stopped the driver of a black station wagon on Nichol Street here.

A 33-year-old driver from Puslinch was charged with driving without insurance and other offences including driving without a licence, driving without a valid permit and driving a vehicle without a required  ignition interlock device. 

The defendant is to appear in Guelph court on Dec. 6.

Deadly long weekend

ORILLIA – OPP officials say police responded to a number of fatal incidents on roads, waterways and trails over the Labour Day long weekend, resulting in the deaths of six people.

Three people were killed in separate road collisions, with two motorcyclists among the deceased, while two individuals died in separate marine incidents and one was killed in an off-road vehicle collision.

Police say the OPP laid over 10,000 traffic/marine-related charges between Sept. 1 and 4.

“Aggressive drivers made roads unsafe for the many families and other people travelling throughout the province to take in the last long weekend of summer,” police stated in a Sept. 6 press release.

Charges laid by the OPP include: 5,847 for speeding, 458 seatbelt violations, 192 for impaired driving, 138 for stunt driving/racing and 101 for distracted driving.