A 16-year-old novice driver from North Bay has been charged with impaired driving following a single-vehicle crash into a ditch on Highway 63. The incident occurred on July 8, 2026, and was reported by local authorities.
Details of the Incident
Police responded to a report of a vehicle that had left the roadway and ended up in a ditch along Highway 63. Upon arrival, officers identified the driver as a 16-year-old with a novice license. The teenager was unharmed in the crash but showed signs of impairment, leading to a demand for a breath sample.
The driver was subsequently arrested and charged with impaired driving and related offences. The vehicle was impounded, and the driver's license was suspended as per Ontario's administrative driver's license suspension (ADLS) program.
Legal Consequences
Under Ontario's graduated licensing system, novice drivers face strict penalties for impaired driving, including immediate license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and potential fines or jail time. The charges also carry a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offence under the Criminal Code.
Police emphasized that impaired driving is preventable and urged the public to plan ahead for safe rides home.
