Sault Ste. Marie – CRIME Update – A 47-year-old Thunder Bay man, Dwight Paquette, faces multiple driving-related charges after officers responded to a report of a driver asleep at the wheel of a dump truck near Lake Street and Wellington Street East at about 5:50 a.m. on September 21, 2025.
Police say EMS was already assessing the driver when officers arrived. Drug paraphernalia was reportedly found in the vehicle. The accused was transported to hospital and, once medically stable, was arrested and provided a blood sample for analysis.
Charges
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Operation While Impaired – Drug and/or Alcohol (Criminal Code s. 320.14(1)(a))
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Operation While Impaired – Blood Drug Concentration (Criminal Code s. 320.14(1)(c))
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Dangerous Operation (Criminal Code s. 320.13(1))
Paquette was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on November 24, 2025.
Potential Penalties Upon Conviction (General Guidance)
Penalties are set by the Criminal Code and courts; outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
Impaired Operation (ss. 320.14 offences):
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First offence: Mandatory minimum $1,000 fine, possible driving prohibition, and a maximum of up to 10 years’ imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment (hybrid offence). Fines may be higher where alcohol levels are elevated; drug-impaired and drug-concentration offences carry the same mandatory minimum framework.
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Second offence: Minimum 30 days’ jail; maximum up to 10 years (indictable).
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Third/subsequent: Minimum 120 days’ jail; maximum up to 10 years (indictable).
Dangerous Operation (s. 320.13(1)):
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Hybrid offence: up to 10 years’ imprisonment if indictable; up to two years less a day and/or fine on summary conviction. (Higher maximums apply if bodily harm or death occurs; not alleged here.)
Ontario Administrative Consequences (separate from court):
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For impaired-related charges, drivers typically face an immediate 90-day licence suspension and 7-day vehicle impoundment, plus provincial monetary penalties.
Reminder: The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
