A head-on collision in Barrie on Thursday evening resulted in two people being hospitalized, and one earning an impaired driving charge.
Barrie Police say officers responded to reports of a serious crash around 8:30 close to their Emergency Services Campus. Barrie Fire and Simcoe County paramedics also attended to provide on-scene medical care.
Police say investigators determined a southbound driver lost control and collided with a northbound vehicle. They also found open beer containers inside the southbound vehicle, prompting them to investigate the driver for impaired operation.
Subsequently, the 71-year-old man from Barrie was charged with impaired driving.
A 55-year-old passenger from the vehicle driven by the accused was brought to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, while a 43-year-old Barrie man and a 20-year-old Barrie woman from the second vehicle were assessed at the crash location.
Police had Fairview Road blocked off while its Traffic Unit conducted an investigation, and it reopened shortly after 12:30 a.m.
The investigation is ongoing.
"Driving is a privilege that carries responsibility," Barrie Police said in a news release. "Choosing to drive impaired puts everyone on the road at risk."
