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Wainfleet man charged with impaired after driving into Lake Erie

Police say the car failed to negotiate a curve and rolled into Lake Erie, landing on its roof in about a metre of water
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NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On Feb. 25, 2020 at approximately 9:30 p.m., 6 District - Port Colborne uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) were called to a report of a car that had gone into Lake Erie.

NRPS officers along with Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics and Wainfleet Fire Services responded to the area of Harbourview Road and Lakeshore Road in Wainfleet.

Emergency Services personnel found that a gray Chevrolet Monte Carlo failed to negotiate a curve in the road, became airborne and rolled into Lake Erie. The vehicle landed on its roof in approximately a metre of water. The driver was located within the vehicle by responding fire fighters. The driver was assisted from the vehicle and brought to shore uninjured.

Officers on scene developed grounds to believe the driver was impaired. Michael Degagne (53 years old) of Wainfleet was arrested and charged with the alleged Criminal Code of Canada offences of:
    •    Impaired operation of a motor vehicle - Section 320.14 (1)(b)
    •    Refuse to provide breath sample - Section 320.15(1)]

Degagne has been issued an administrative driver's licence suspension (ADLS). The ADLS, is issued to everyone charged with similar driving offences. The ADLS prohibits him from operating a motor vehicle for 90 days from date it was issued.

Degagne has been released on a Form 10 - Undertaking with a future court date of March 20, 2020, at the Welland Court House located at 102 East Main St. in Welland.

A lengthy retrieval process was required to remove the demolished vehicle from the lake with no evidence of environmental impact.

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