Pizza delivery driver found to be four times the legal limit after nearly hitting OPP officer

A pizza delivery driver is facing charges after nearly crashing into an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer.

Hawkesbury OPP said an officer was heading eastbound on County Road 17 near Hawkesbury last Friday around 6:45 p.m. and saw a vehicle crossing over the centre lane towards them.

Police said the officer needed to hit the brakes to avoid a head-on-collision and pulled the vehicle over, where the 33-year-old driver blew just over four times the legal limit during the stop.

“We had received a previous traffic complaint that evening which matched the description of the vehicle that individual was driving,” said Constable Sydney Jones with the Hawkesbury OPP.

The driver was arrested and charged with impaired operation and having a blood alcohol content over 80, along with having their license suspended.

Constable Jones confirmed their vehicle was impounded for seven days — along with the pizza.

Earlier this week in Ottawa, a G2 driver was arrested following a single-vehicle crash on Highway 417.

The 24-year-old G2 driver was found to be four times the legal limit and is now facing a charge of impaired driving along with a 90-day driving suspension.

“This is a very busy time of year for impaired charges and we’re seeing an increased number of impaired drivers by alcohol and drugs,” Jones said. “Plan ahead, take a taxi, get a friend to drive you home or make other plans to get home.”

She added the OPP RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign is in full swing and to expect more charges leading into the new year.

This year’s RIDE campaign runs from November until January 1.

The 33-year-old driver is expected in court on Jan 17.