A 19-year-old man is facing more than half a dozen charges, including impaired and dangerous driving, after a vehicle plowed through a barricade at the Southampton Christmas parade.
According to Saugeen Shores police, the vehicle went through the wooden road barricade that was being used to stop vehicle traffic on the parade route just before 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The vehicle was then seen being driven erratically down Victoria Street where it nearly hit several parked vehicles.
After police stopped the vehicle there was a heated exchange between the driver and officers, police said. The driver, who allegedly failed a roadside sobriety test, was arrested. Once at the police station, the man refused to provide a further breath sample and reportedly kicked a police officer in the stomach.
A 19-year-old Owen Sound man is charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving, failure to comply with demand, assaulting a peace officer, mischief, and numerous Highway Traffic Act offences. His licence has been suspended and vehicle impounded.
"We want to thank the parade bystanders who contacted and waved down police which allowed for a quick response and arrest," police said in a statement issued Monday.
