A 17-year-old from Peterborough faces multiple charges after their vehicle slid off County Road 32 and into the Otonabee River late Sunday evening.
Peterborough County OPP and emergency crews were called to the scene around 10:15 p.m. on December 22nd after a passerby discovered collision debris and a partially submerged vehicle. The caller reported seeing footprints leading away from the shoreline but received no response when calling out.
Officers found the vehicle in the river with its side windows open and airbags deployed, but no one was inside. After searching the area, police contacted the driver by phone. The driver claimed they hit black ice, struck a tree, and ended up in the water. They also stated they had received a ride and were unharmed, though initially reluctant to disclose their location.
Police tracked the driver to a Lakefield address and detected the odour of alcohol during their conversation. A roadside breath test resulted in an “ALERT,” leading to a three-day licence suspension.
The teenager was charged with four Highway Traffic Act offences: careless driving, novice driver blood alcohol content above zero, failure to report an accident, and failure to remain at the scene.
No injuries were reported. The investigation into the incident continues.
