R.I.D.E. Check and Routine Patrols Lead to Arrests on Balsam Street and Highway 11-17

THUNDER BAY, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Thunder Bay Detachment has laid impaired driving charges in two separate incidents over the past week, emphasizing ongoing efforts to keep roadways safe across the region.

The first incident occurred shortly after midnight on June 22, 2025, when officers conducting a R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) check on the Balsam Street off-ramp in Thunder Bay stopped a vehicle. Following roadside testing and further investigation at the detachment, Halie KEOUGH, 22, of Thunder Bay, was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) under the Criminal Code;

• Novice driver – B.A.C. above zero under the Highway Traffic Act;

• Driving with open liquor under the Liquor Licence Act.

Keough has been released and is scheduled to appear in Thunder Bay’s Ontario Court of Justice on August 6, 2025.

In a separate incident on July 1, 2025, around 1:23 a.m., Thunder Bay OPP officers stopped a vehicle on Highway 11-17 during general patrol. After determining the driver was impaired, officers arrested Herbert McWATCH, 55, of Marathon, Ontario. He was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, and

• Operation while impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) under the Criminal Code.

He also faces Highway Traffic Act charges for:

• Driving without proper headlights, and

• Failing to signal during a lane change.

McWatch has been released from custody and will appear in Thunder Bay’s Ontario Court of Justice on August 20, 2025.

The OPP continues to urge the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 in emergencies or 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergency traffic complaints.