(ESPANOLA, ON) - Two people have been arrested and charged after police were called to a single vehicle collision.
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, at approximately 1:00 am, the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call reporting a single vehicle collision, where a pickup truck went into the ditch on Highway 17 near Michon Road in the 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 Carnarvon Township, was charged with:
- Operation while impaired
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose - two counts
- Failure to comply with release order
- Possession of a Schedule I substance - opioid (other than heroin)
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
- Driving while under suspension
The passenger, Josephine OSAWANIMIKI, 37-years-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, was charged with:
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose - two counts
- Possession of a Schedule I substance - opioid (other than heroin)
- Possession of a Schedule I 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, 2025.