Air1 spots suspected impaired driver on Hwy 401 in Oshawa; police make arrest

An Oshawa man is facing impaired charges after Air1 spotted a vehicle “driving erratically” on Highway 401 near Harmony Road Wednesday night.

DRPS’ Air1 Tactical Flight Officer observed a vehicle “driving at speeds of more than 160km/hr, weaving around traffic, passing vehicles using the shoulder lane and almost striking the back of a transport truck” before exiting the highway at Ritson Road.

Air1 followed the vehicle as it exited and observed it driving more than 100km/hr, heading southbound on Ritson Road, until it stopped at an address near Lakeview Park. Uniformed officers were dispatched to the address as Air1 maintained a visual on the vehicle. While speaking with the driver, police said the officers noticed visible signs of impairment.

Mitchell Traschler, 26, is charged with impaired driving, dangerous operation of a vehicle, two counts of driving while disqualified and driving with a suspended licence.

He was released on an Undertaking.

A video of the Air1 footage can be viewed at https://youtu.be/tIK76CJiA3U