The Barrie Police Service has charged a 33-year-old local man with impaired driving following a two-vehicle crash in the city’s south end on March 23, 2026. The collision happened shortly after 5:00 p.m. at the intersection of Veterans Drive and Mapleview Drive West in Barrie, Ontario.
Officers who arrived at the scene reported that the man showed signs of being under the influence, including having red eyes, a strong smell of cannabis, and difficulty keeping his balance. A specialized officer known as a Drug Recognition Expert was used to confirm that the man’s ability to drive was affected by a drug.
While no serious injuries were reported in the crash, police confirmed that a two-year-old child was a passenger in the other vehicle involved. Along with the impaired driving charge, the man is also accused of having cannabis readily available within his vehicle.
Under new rules from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation that began on January 1, 2026, drivers now face tougher immediate penalties. These include a 90-day roadside licence suspension and having their vehicle impounded for seven days for a first-time offence.
Local police continue to monitor the community through regular traffic stops and safety checkpoints. The intersection where the crash occurred has a documented history of frequent collisions.
