A 20-year-old Woodstock man is facing several charges, including impaired driving causing bodily harm, in connection to an early-morning collision south of Tavistock, Ont., on Tuesday that sent two people to hospital, one with serious injuries.
Oxford OPP said the collision happened around 4:23 a.m. on Highway 59 south of Cassel Sideroad in East Zorra-Tavistock Township.
Police said a northbound four-door Chevrolet sedan crossed into the southbound lanes of the road and collided with a four-door Hyundai sedan that was travelling in the opposite direction.
The Hyundai attempted to turn and avoid the Chevrolet but was struck and came to rest in the ditch, while the Chevrolet left the road and crashed into a tree, police said.
The female driver of the Hyundai was seriously injured in the crash and had to be extricated from the vehicle by emergency crews. The vehicle’s male passenger was hospitalized with minor injuries.
The male driver of the Chevrolet, identified as a 20-year-old Woodstock resident, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene before being arrested by police.
He faces charges including two counts of driving while ability-impaired causing bodily harm, driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, and two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
The accused is scheduled to appear in court in Woodstock on July 24, police said. He was also given a 90-day licence suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.
Police said they are continuing to investigate the collision, and ask anyone who witnessed the collision or has information to contact 1-888-310-1122, their nearest police service, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).