Police beat: Two people seriously injured in single-vehicle crash

MAPLETON –  Two people were seriously injured following a single-vehicle crash on Wellington Road 7 here.

On July 31 at about 4:45pm, emergency crews responded to the call. 

“Two occupants were located in the vehicle. One was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, and the second occupant was transported to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries,” stated a press release from Wellington County OPP.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips.

Weapon, impaired charges

MAPLETON – A local resident is facing multiple charges after officers responded to a complaint of gunshots coming from a private property on Conestogo Lake.

On July 28 at about 8pm, Wellington County OPP officers responded to a complaint of what sounded like gunshots being fired in the area of Road 2 North in  Mapleton.

Carl F. Bondi, 43, of Mapleton, was charged with impaired driving; failure or refusal to comply with a  demand for a breath sample; careless use of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition; possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and discharging a firearm into or at a place in a reckless manner.

He is to appear in Guelph court at a later date. 

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips.

Drug, driving charges

WELLINGTON NORTH – An Arthur man is facing several charges after a traffic stop here recently.

On July 21 at about 11:30pm, a Wellington County OPP officer stopped the driver of a motorcycle for an alleged traffic violation on Wellington Road 109 in Wellington North. 

Travis David Hewitson, 31, of Arthur, was charged with:

– driving while prohibited;

– failing to comply with a probation order;

  possession of a Schedule I substance (methamphetamine);

– driving without insurance;

– driving a vehicle with no plates;

– failing to apply for a permit to become an owner; and

– driving without a proper licence.

He is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Plethora of charges

WELLINGTON NORTH – A Barrie driver has been charged with stunt driving and several other charges.

On July 31 at about 11:30am a Wellington County OPP officer saw a vehicle that appeared to be driving well above the posted speed limit on Highway 89 in Wellington North.

A 21-year-old from Barrie was charged with: racing, possessing more than one licence, failing to stop for police, driving without a  licence, driving with cannabis readily available and driving with an open container of liquor.

The vehicle was impounded for 14 days, and the driver’s licence suspended for 30 days. The defendant is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Man charged after ATM damaged

GUELPH – On June 15, at 8:56am a man entered a bank in the downtown core of the City of Guelph.

Guelph Police say the man “stood patiently in the vestibule of the bank waiting for an automated teller machine (ATM)” but when one became available, “he walked up to it, pulled out a lighter and used it to burn a portion of the ATM, making it inoperable.”

On July 28 at 7:30pm, officers located the man downtown and he was subsequently arrested, police stated.

A 33-year-old Guelph man was charged with mischief under $5,000. He is to appear in Guelph court on Sept. 16.

Motorcycle deaths on rise

LONDON – OPP West Region officials are calling on motorcyclists to make safety a priority amid an alarming increase in the number of fatal motorcycle collisions this year.

To date in 2022, 12 motorcyclists have died in collisions in West Region, compared to seven deaths over the same period last year. 

“The motorcycle operator has been at-fault in over 70% of all fatal motorcycle collisions in West Region so far in 2022,” states an OPP press release.

Police say the recent spike in motorcyclist deaths has led the OPP to “urge riders to protect themselves by ensuring that road intersections are clear of traffic before proceeding, wearing bright protective gear, and enrolling in a Ministry of Transport-approved motorcycle safety training program.”

Inspector Shawn Johnson, OPP West Region traffic and marine manager, said, “Motorcyclists are far more vulnerable to serious injury or death in a collision than drivers in passenger vehicles or trucks. That’s why it’s so important that motorcyclists make their safety a priority through safe, defensive driving.”