(CENTRAL ELGIN, ON) The Elgin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Elgin Detachment, has charged an individual following a marine investigation.
On April 13, 2025, at approximately 5:05 p.m., members of the Elgin OPP, EMS and Central Elgin Fire responded to a report of a capsized vessel in Lake Erie, near the boat launch on Carlow Road, Port Stanley, in the Municipality of Central Elgin.
The marine operator was uninjured, and the boat was retrieved out of the water.
As a result of the investigation, it was determined the driver of the vessel was impaired.
The driver was taken into custody without incident and transported to Elgin County Detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Brady Johnson, a 24-year-old from St. Thomas was charged with:
Operation while impaired alcohol and drugs
Having care or control of a boat underway with open container of liquor
Person who operates or permits another person to operate a vessel failing to ensure that it is marked with a hull serial number
Failing to wear personal floatation device or life jacket in open vessel if device or jacket is of inflatable type.
The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Thomas on May 13, 2025.
If you observe a driver or operator, you suspect may be impaired, contact the OPP or the nearest police authority by dialing 9-1-1.
The OPP remind drivers and members of the public to report impaired drivers and dangerous driving behaviours. Your call could save a life, please dial 9-1-1 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.