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Driver charged with impaired following collision with individual in wheelchair

Victim was not physically injured, police say
2017-04-28 Sault Police Patch DMH-1
File photo. Donna Hopper/SooToday

Police have charged Norman Halford after it is alleged that he struck an individual in a wheelchair on Old Garden River Road on Tuesday evening.

A news release issued by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service states that the wheelchair was damaged in the incident, but the victim was unharmed.

Police say the 54-year-old fled the scene following the collision, but was apprehended a short time later.

Full text of the release follows:

On Oct. 19, 2021 officers with Patrol Services charged 54-year-old Norman Halford with impaired driving – alcohol and/or drug.

Around 6:22 p.m., the accused pulled a vehicle out of a private driveway on Old Garden River Road. At this time, the vehicle struck someone in a wheelchair, causing visual damage to the wheelchair. The accused then left the area. No physical injuries were reported as a result of the collision.

Officers located the accused around 7:57 p.m. in the 0-100 block of Old Garden River Road. Upon speaking with the accused officers developed grounds to believe his ability to operate a vehicle was impaired by alcohol.

He was arrested and later provided two breathe samples into an approved device, registering two fail results. He is charged with impaired driving – alcohol and/or drug, impaired driving – blood alcohol concentration (80+) and fail to remain at or immediately return to the scene of an accident.

He was released and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 29, 2021.