No charges being laid as investigation continues into fatality
The Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has completed a thorough investigation into a fatal two-vehicle collision on Highway 6 near Espanola.
On Tuesday, July 8 at approximately 1:30 pm, officers with the Manitoulin OPP, Manitoulin-Sudbury Paramedic Services and Espanola Fire Department, responded to a two-vehicle collision involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle. As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist, a 47-year-old from Kleinburg, was transported to hospital where they were pronounced deceased. The driver and passenger of the vehicle were transported to hospital as a precaution; however, they sustained no injuries.
The investigation, with assistance from the OPP Northeast Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement Team, Technical Collision Investigators and reconstructionist, determined that the motorcycle, which was travelling southbound on Highway 6, entered the northbound lane and collided with the oncoming passenger vehicle.
The investigation has concluded and there will be no charges laid.
Manitoulin OPP respond to vehicle rollover, arrest driver for impaired operation
One person is facing charges after police were called to a single vehicle collision on Highway 540 in Billings township.
On Sunday, July 6, at approximately 4:30 am, officers with the Manitoulin OPP, with assistance from the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Police Service (UCCM Police) responded to a single vehicle rollover on highway 540 in Billings Township. Police arrived on scene and noticed an odour of alcohol emanating from the driver. Police requested a breath sample using an approved screening device, and the driver was subsequently transported to the Little Current OPP detachment for further testing.
There were no injuries as a result of this collision.
The driver, Malcolm Wilson, 19 from Mono, was charged with operation while impaired alcohol operation while impaired blood alcohol concentration (80 plus). The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on August 26.
$45,500 in suspected drugs seized on Highway 17 after impaired arrest
Two people have been arrested and charged after police were called to a single vehicle collision.
On Saturday, July 5 at approximately 1 am, officers with the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP received a call reporting a single vehicle collision, where a pickup truck went into the ditch on Highway 17 near Michon Road in Baldwin Township. Police attended the scene and located the vehicle nearby, on Michon Road. Further investigation resulted in both the driver and passenger being arrested.
Additionally, police seized an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $45,500, an expandable baton and a wooden club.
The driver, Merence Trudeau, 47 years old from the municipality of Central Manitoulin, was charged with operation while impaired, two counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, failure to comply with release order, possession of a schedule one substance-opioid (other than heroin), possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine and driving while under suspension.
The passenger, Josephine Osawanimiki, 37 years old from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, was charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of a schedule one substance-opioid (other than heroin) and possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine.
Both accused were held before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court on July 5, 2025. The accused driver remains in custody. The accused passenger is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on August 18.
Failure to stop at two stop signs results in impaired arrest
One person is facing charges after a traffic stop led to the seizure of suspected drugs and an impaired arrest.
On Sunday, June 29, at approximately 11 am, officers with the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP observed a vehicle fail to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of George Street and Young Street in Sables-Spanish Rivers township. The vehicle was followed by police and subsequently failed to stop at a second stop sign before being pulled over on Main Street in the township. Further investigation on scene resulted in the driver being arrested for impaired operation.
Additionally, police seized an amount of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1,400, an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,600, and an amount of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $500.
The driver, Edward Recollet, 41 years old from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, was charged with: operation while impaired, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, failure to comply with undertaking, possession of a schedule one substance-methamphetamine, possession of a schedule one substance-cocaine, possession of a schedule II substance, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine, two counts disobeying stop sign (fail to stop), two counts of driving while under suspension and driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on August 5.
The OPP wants to remind the public that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe while driving. If you suspect an impaired driver on our roads, waterways or trails, don’t hesitate to make the call and dial 911. Your phone call could save someone’s life.
Traffic stop for disobey sign results in impaired arrest
One person is facing impaired-related charges after a traffic stop for a Highway Traffic Act violation in Espanola.
On Saturday, July 5 at approximately 11 am, officers with the Manitoulin OPP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for disobeying a stop sign on Highway 17 in Baldwin township. Upon interacting with the driver, police observed cannabis readily available. As a result of further investigation, the driver was arrested for impaired operation.
The driver, Gavan Potvin-Lennox, 19 from Capreol, was charged with operation while impaired alcohol and drugs, operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), have care or control of vehicle with cannabis readily available, have care or control of vehicle with open container of liquor, disobey sign, young driver-blood alcohol concentration above zero.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on August 5.
Manitoulin OPP make impaired arrest in Mindemoya
One person is facing impaired-related charges after a traffic stop.
On Wednesday, July 2 at approximately 10 am, officers with the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP were alerted to an expired vehicle permit by the Automated Licence Plate Recognition system. Police conducted a traffic stop at a parking lot in Mindemoya, and further investigation on scene resulted in the driver being arrested for impaired operation.
The driver, Jessica Biscope, 30 years old from Prescott, was charged with operation while impaired, driving while under suspension and driving a motor vehicle with no currently validated permit.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on August 26.