NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE POLICE SERVICE
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On Oct. 28, 2026, officers with traffic services charged 55-year-old Christopher Mears with operation while impaired, dangerous operation, and other offences.
Around 4:30 p.m., 911 communicators received a report of a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Amber Street and Parkland Crescent. It was reported that one vehicle had driven through a stop sign and struck another vehicle before driving away. Officers were dispatched to the area and located the vehicle in a parking lot in the 100 block of Denwood Drive.
Upon speaking with the driver, who identified as the accused, officers developed grounds to believe their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. Officers also observed multiple open containers of alcohol within the driver’s reach. They were arrested.
The accused was transported to the police services building, where they provided multiple breath samples to a qualified technician. The accused’s blood-alcohol concentration registered above the legal limit.
The accused is charged with:
Operation while impaired — alcohol and/or drug
Operation while impaired — blood-alcohol concentration 80-plus
Dangerous operation
Fail to remain (under the Highway Traffic Act)
Fail to surrender licence (under the Highway Traffic Act)
Disobey stop sign — fail to stop (under the Highway Traffic Act)
Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor (under the Liquor Licence and Control Act)
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Mears is considered innocent until proven guilty.
The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 30, 2026.
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