Vehicle in ditch leads to impaired driving charges for Perth resident

Complaints of an ‘erratic driver,’ followed by a report of a vehicle in a ditch, led to a Perth resident being charged with impaired driving earlier this week, Lanark OPP report.

Officers responded to Highway 43 in Drummond-North Elmsley Township on Monday, Nov. 11, shortly before 6 p.m. A short time later another caller reported the same vehicle in the ditch on Best Road.

Officers located an individual walking along Highway 43 matching the description of the driver. The person was arrested and transported to the Lanark Detachment for testing.

As a result of the investigation, Richard Serwa, 68, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Operation while impaired – alcohol

Charges have not been proven in court.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth on Jan. 6.

The individual’s driver’s licence has been suspended for 90 days (Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension) and vehicle has been impounded for seven days.