By: Muhammad Aamir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Chatham-Kent Police responded to several incidents, including a severe single-vehicle collision on Merlin Road, where a 27-year-old intoxicated driver was arrested. One passenger required air ambulance transport for further treatment. Additionally, a 21-year-old man was charged with stunt driving, and various arrests were made, including for breaking and entering, failing to comply with release orders, and causing bodily harm. Police also enforced speeding violations and responded to a fatal collision on Talbot Trail, which remains under investigation.
MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION
The Chatham-Kent Police received a call for service regarding a single motor vehicle collision in the Merlin Road and Talbot Trail areas of Merlin, Ontario.
Upon arrival, responding officers located three male parties in the vehicle with serious injuries. Two males were able to exit the car themselves, with the third male being stuck in the vehicle as injuries prevented him from exiting.
Once emergency services arrived on the scene. It was decided that one of the passengers would be flown by Ornge Air Ambulance to a bigger city hospital for further medical treatment.
Through investigation, it was determined that the driver, a 27-year-old male, was believed to be intoxicated. The 27-year-old male was arrested on the scene for impaired operation of a motor vehicle. He was transported to the Chatham-Kent Police headquarters, where he was tested for breath samples, booked, and lodged. The male was released on a Form 10 undertaking with conditions and a future court date.
MAN CHARGED WITH STUNT DRIVING
The Chatham-Kent Police carried out a directed enforcement blitz in the area of St. Clair Street, Chatham. Over the past several months, significant ongoing issues have occurred with vehicles performing stunts and driving dangerously through business parking lots along this road.
At approximately 8:31 p.m., police observed a vehicle in the area operating at a high rate of speed, while also intentionally causing the tires to lose traction in the performance of burnouts and “doughnuts”.
A traffic stop on the vehicle was subsequently conducted, which resulted in the driver, a 21-year-old Chatham man, being charged with Stunt Driving under the Highway Traffic Act. The man’s vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded for 14 days, and his licence was suspended for 30 days. He was ultimately released on a summons with a future court date.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
The Chatham-Kent Police staged at the area of Kimball Rd and McCreary Line in the Wallaceburg area to conduct a proactive traffic enforcement in relation to speeding drivers.
Eight provincial offence notices were issued for speeding, and one warning was given.
ARREST – TRESPASS TO PROPERTY ACT
Police attended a residence in the area of Harvey St in Chatham in response to an unwanted person complaint.
It was learned that the new owner of the building had discovered someone in one of the lower units and advised police that no one was supposed to be inside, as the unit was believed to be vacant.
Police attended the unit and located a lone female party inside. The 43-year-old Chatham woman was initially arrested for unlawfully in a dwelling and transported to police headquarters.
Through investigation, it was determined that no criminal offence had been committed. The 43-year-old Chatham woman was subsequently released on a notice to enter the premises when entry was prohibited and released from custody.
MAN ARRESTED FOR CAUSING BODILY HARM
The Chatham-Kent Police Service began an investigation into a serious assault where five male suspects had caused grievous bodily harm to another man during an altercation. As a result of the investigation, police formed grounds for the arrest of these men for Assault Causing Bodily Harm.
On Oct. 19th, 2024, at approximately 11:15 p.m., police responded to a report of a disturbance involving a large number of people in the area of A.D. Shadd Road, North Buxton. Upon arrival, police determined that one of the involved parties had an outstanding warrant in effect in relation to the above-mentioned incident. The 28-year-old North Buxton man was arrested on the strength of this warrant, transported to police headquarters for processing, and ultimately released on an undertaking with conditions and a future court date.
MAN ARRESTED FOR BREAKING AND ENTERING
Police received a report of an active break and enter into a residence on Colborne Street in Chatham. Officers immediately attended to the residence and located a male suspect still inside the dwelling, who attempted to flee from police upon discovery. The male was taken into custody a short distance away and arrested for break and enter. The 39-year-old Blenheim was ultimately transported to police headquarters and held in custody pending a show cause bail hearing.
MAN ARRESTED
The Chatham-Kent Police received a request from the London Police Service to locate a man wanted for five counts of failure to comply with a release order in the municipality. Through investigation, officers identified the man in the area of Keil Drive South, Chatham. At approximately 8:34 a.m., he was placed under arrest without incident. The 36-year-old Chatham man’s custody was later transferred to the London Police Service for processing.
FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION
The Chatham-Kent Police received a call for service regarding a motor vehicle collision on Talbot Trail between Goulet Road and Kendall Road.
Responding officers attended the area and located the involved vehicles with extensive damage.
The driver of one of the vehicles (a 37-year-old Merlin male) was pronounced deceased on scene, two occupants from the second vehicle were transported to hospital with significant non-life-threatening injury.
This investigation is ongoing, and the name of the deceased will not be released at this time out of respect for the family’s privacy.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this young man, as well as to everyone impacted by this tragic collision.
Due to the severity, the Chatham-Kent Police Service Traffic Management unit has taken over the investigation.
BREAK AND ENTER
The Chatham-Kent Police were contacted regarding a break-and-enter complaint within the city of Chatham, Ontario.
It is believed that a male party entered through a coded door and removed approximately $200.00 in property from that location.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Constable Dean VanHerpe.
