A 43-year-old resident of Gatineau is confronting serious impaired driving and drug-related charges following a single-vehicle crash in the early hours of Saturday morning on Highway 417.
Early Morning Crash Leads to Arrest
The incident occurred just after midnight near March Road, when Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a report of a vehicle in the ditch. Upon arrival, police interacted with the driver and quickly developed suspicions that the individual was impaired by alcohol.
The driver, identified as Truong Nguyen, underwent roadside testing and was subsequently transported to an OPP detachment in Ottawa for more comprehensive testing, as detailed in a police news release.
Significant Drug Seizure During Investigation
What began as an impaired driving investigation escalated significantly when officers searched the vehicle. Police reported discovering approximately seven kilograms of cannabis, along with drug paraphernalia, an undisclosed amount of cash, and other items associated with trafficking.
The total estimated street value of the confiscated substances and materials is $60,000, according to authorities.
Multiple Charges and Immediate Consequences
Truong Nguyen now faces a series of criminal charges, including:
- Operation while impaired by alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 milligrams
- Possession for the purpose of distributing
- Possession of over 30 grams of dried cannabis in a public place
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
In addition to the charges, police imposed immediate administrative penalties. Nguyen's driver's licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle involved was impounded for a period of seven days.
The accused is scheduled to appear in an Ottawa courtroom at a future date to answer to the charges. This case highlights the OPP's continued focus on removing impaired drivers and illicit drugs from Ontario's roadways, particularly during the holiday season.
