(ESSA, ON) - Members of the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged one individual with impaired driving after being stopped for speeding in Essa Township

On September 11, 2025, shortly after 7:00 pm, A Nottawasaga OPP officer was conducting speed enforcement on the 6th Line in Essa Township. The officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding and during the interaction, grounds were formed that the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol, leading to the driver’s arrest. 

As a result of the investigation, Nicholas FRENCH 40-years-old of Barrie was charged with:

• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Speeding 1 - 49 Km/h over posted limit
• Obstruct plate

The accused is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Bradford on October 9, 2025, to answer to the charges. The driver’s licence was also suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle impounded for seven.