According to police, on Sunday July 19th at approximately 2:00 p.m. in the City of Niagara Falls, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service attended the intersection of Morrison Street and Crysler Avenue for a motor vehicle collision involving a piece of road construction equipment, a “back-hoe” excavator, versus a mini-van.
The “Super-M” excavator was operated by 63-year-old James MEAGHER of Niagara Falls while the 2008 Dodge Caravan was driven by a 32-year-old Welland woman who was reported to be six months pregnant. Numerous witnesses in this busy residential area reported to police that the excavator approached the stop-sign with the machinery bucket in the halfway up position and did not come to a complete stop. The van would have had the right of way and the excavator therefore struck the passenger side of the van as it passed in front of the excavator.
Upon police arrival, it was quickly determined that the male driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. After investigation, it was confirmed that the male driver was impaired by alcohol and charged accordingly. It was also determined that the accused was an unlicensed driver, having been prohibited since 1969. Further, the accused has been convicted of nine previous charges related to drinking and driving and four previous charges of driving while disqualified to operate a motor vehicle. The accused has also been issued six separate Prohibition Orders (driving) and in fact was suspended from having a driver’s licence for life in 2007.
Given the severity of the charges and previous history, the accused was held for a Bail Hearing on July 20th, 2015 in the City of St. Catharines.The female was transferred to hospital for observation and no serious injuries were reported.
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