Video shows alleged impaired driver in Vaughan arrested at 5 times legal limit

Police in York Region say they have arrested and charged a driver who was found to have a historic level of alcohol in their system.

Officers responded around 10 a.m. on Tuesday after a concerned 911 caller told police a black Honda CRV travelling southbound on Highway 400 had pulled into a gas station south of King Road in Vaughan after it sideswiped concrete barriers on the highway several times, and was driving with its turning signal flashing.

The 911 call can be heard in a video released by York Regional Police.

“Someone who appears very drunk just pulled into this gas station,” said the caller.

Officers arrived to find the vehicle idling in the lot with its front passenger door open. Police allege both the driver and passenger were asleep in the vehicle when they arrived on scene.

The video goes on to show officers approaching the vehicle and attempting to speak to the driver. The officer taps on the window and asks the driver to step out.

“I slipped a disk in my back and he’s…uh…helping me,” says the driver, who denied consuming any drugs or alcohol.

“You’re drooling,” says the officer. “You have bloodshot eyes. I don’t think you’re okay.”

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• Man faces impaired driving charges following ‘fiery crash’ last month in Vaughan

Police allege the driver was found to have five times the legal limit of alcohol in his system. York Regional Police (YRP) say it is the second highest blood alcohol level ever recorded since they began compiling data.

“Due to the extremely high level of intoxication, the male was transported to a hospital for assessment where he was seen by a doctor and then released,” reads a release from YRP.

A 53-year-old man from New Tecumseth was arrested and charged with impaired driving. His licence was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle has been impounded for seven days.

YRP are commending the citizen who made the call to report the vehicle, saying “if you see an impaired driver, call 911 right away.”