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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 18 ,2 01 9 | 26 Three people who helped guide Halton police to an impaired driver, as the vehicle sped toward a busy Burlington event, have been recognized for their potentially life-sav- ing actions. Ashley Pimentel, Mi- chael Carvalho and Da- mien Decker-Vieira attend- ed Halton police headquar- ters recently where they were presented with the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Halton Re- gion Citizens of the Year Award. Sgt. Ryan Snow said last summer the trio was trav- elling on the QEW near Burlington when they no- ticed a motorist swerving all over the highway. "Instead of thinking, 'it's not my problem' these three individuals took ac- tion," said Snow. "Ashley called 911 while Michael focused on driving and Damien kept an eye on the suspect vehicle. They obtained the license plate of the suspect vehicle, re- layed updated information to the police on the sus- pect's location as it left the QEW and entered Brant Street, and kept describing what they were seeing as the vehicle ran a red light." The vehicle approached a Burlington community event and a pay duty officer who had been alerted to what was happening. Snow said the suspect vehicle crashed into a row of pylons and came to a stop. Police quickly con- verged on the scene and made an arrest. Snow said the driver was found to have twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system. He ultimately pleaded guilty to impaired operation of a motor vehicle and driv- ing with a blood-alcohol lev- el greater than 80 mgs. "Ashley, Michael and Da- mien demonstrated com- mendable social responsi- bility that night- protecting others they didn't even know- and preventing a bad situation from becoming worse," said Snow. "They did exactly what MADD educates our com- munity on- via their Cam- paign 911 efforts- call police and report any driving ac- tivity that places you or other road users at risk." During the event MADD Halton Region also recog- nized Const. Michael Wheeler as the 2019 MADD Halton Officer of the Year. Snow noted that during 2018, Wheeler conducted 34 impaired driving investiga- tions and 149 roadside tests, which ultimately removed 70 drivers from area road- ways through criminal charges or provincial sanc- tions. All this was done while balancing a myriad of oth- er policing demands. MADD Halton Region also recognized Halton po- lice 2 District, which covers Oakville, as the 2019 Dis- trict of the Year. The district, led by Su- perintendent Nick Mili- novich and Inspector Dave Stewart, carried out more than 1,000 roadside tests in 2018 with more than 170 people removed from Oak- ville's streets for various criminal impaired offenc- es. "While we can never quantify a negative statis- tic, rest assured that your efforts have alleviated un- told suffering and saved the lives of community members that otherwise may have paid the ultimate price as a result of some- one's choice to drive after drinking," said Snow. "The Town of Oakville owes you a debt of grati- tude." Officers reported that throughout Halton a total of 593 motorists were ar- rested for impaired driving offences in 2018. That's a 7 per cent jump over impaired driving ar- rests in 2017. Halton police did 20 per cent more roadside tests than in 2017, with the 2018 total reaching 3,116. NEWS TRIO RECOGNIZED FOR GETTING IMPAIRED DRIVER OFF THE ROAD DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com MADD Halton Region President Lucienne Croghan (left) stands with Ashley Piementel, Michael Carvalho and Damien Decker-Vieira and Halton Police Sgt. Ryan Snow. Piementel, Carvalho and Decker-Vieira were recognized with the MADD Halton Region Citizens of the Year Award. MADD photo Torstar graphic Halton impaired driving offences 593 motorists Halton police conducted 20 per cent more roadside tests than in 2017, with the 2018 total reaching 3,116. Officers reported that, throughout Halton, a total of 593 motorists were arrested for impaired driving offences in 2018. That's a 7 per cent jump over impaired driving arrests in 2017. 7% Desjardins, Desjardins Insurance and related trademarks are trademarks of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, used under licence.C ST -0 0 25 Better things with a Desjardins Agent Lora Greene, Agent 211 Guelph St Unit 6 Georgetown, ON L7G 5B5 905-873-1615 www.loragreene.ca • Complete Residential • Repairs • Financing Now Available • Metal Flashing • Cedar Roofs • Copper Roofs and Flashing BASED IN GEORGETOWN SERVING ALL OF HALTON & PEEL REGIONS & ORANGEVILLE SHINGLES • CEDAR FLATS • COPPER www. .ca