Individual charged with impaired driving after dangerous driving incident in downtown Kingston

Release Date: April 17, 2024

24-12425

On April 17, 2024, at approximately 12:05 a.m. police were on general patrol in the area of Division Street and Princess Street in downtown Kingston. While proceeding southbound on Division Street through the intersection police observed a silver van travelling westbound on Princess Street toward them at a very high rate of speed. This vehicle was travelling in the wrong direction on Princess Street, which is a one-way street east of Division Street.

The van proceeded through the intersection and nearly struck the police cruiser as the officer was forced to take immediate evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision. The police cruiser had been travelling through the intersection on a green light at the time of the incident. The van also narrowly missed striking pedestrians, who were forced to jump out of the way of the oncoming vehicle, as they attempted to cross the street on a green light/walk signal.

The vehicle then continued to drive westbound on Princess Street in a dangerous manner as police, who had activated their emergency lights and sirens, attempted to intercept it. At the intersection of Princess Street and Albert Street officers made attempts to have the driver pull over, however, they refused, and the vehicle was last seen travelling east on York Street from Albert Street.

At approximately 12:45 a.m. police received further information that this vehicle was now parked on Princess Street near Barrie Street. A witness had observed the driver exit this vehicle and attend a nearby establishment. At approximately 12:55 a.m. officers located the driver inside this establishment, and subsequently arrested them for dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

The officer made further observations that the accused was impaired by alcohol. The accused was subsequently transported to police headquarters where they provided two breath samples. The accused was found to have more than one and a half times the legal limit of alcohol in their system.

Jozef KROEG, a 33-year-old individual from the Kingston area, was charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance, failing to stop for police, impaired operation of a conveyance, and impaired operation of a conveyance while exceeding blood alcohol concentration.

This individual was held to attend a bail hearing the following day and their driver’s licence is automatically suspended for 90 days and would face a one-year suspension if convicted. The vehicle was seized and impounded for 7 days, with the accused being responsible for all fees and fines.

Impaired driving information from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation

#DontDrinkAndDrive #DontDriveImpaired #DontDriveHigh #DriveSober