Teen faces impaired driving charge after vehicle crashes into Lake Erie

Scuba diver Darren Ryan has helped people retrieve items from the water before, but this time was different.

“Every now and again when something goes in the water they call us to try and get it out,” says Ryan.

Ryan has never been called to help retrieve a pickup truck like the one that landed in Lake Erie across from Mercea Park in Leamington.

“Wednesday just before 9 p.m. a single vehicle collision occurred on Point Pelee Drive,” said OPP Const. Steven Duguay.

According to a witness the pickup truck was travelling at a high rate of speed down Mercea Road C, struck an embankment, went airborne flying at least 40-feet before landing in Lake Erie.

OPP say speed and alcohol were a factor in the incident.

“We have arrested the driver, 19-year old, and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a vehicle.” Duguay said.

There were five people in the pickup who were cold and wet, but managed to escape without injury.

An attempt to retrieve the pickup was made mid-morning.

“I'm gonna try and take this tow line, get it around the tow cable on the truck and attach it to the pickup truck here and pull it out.” said Ryan.

It sounded like a good plan but didn’t work out. Ryan battled the waves to get to the pickup. Once there move waves pounced on his efforts.

“Not very friendly.” Ryan said. “As soon as I got a hold of the truck waves hit me and pulled me right off it so, pretty choppy.”

The attempt to pull the truck out of the water was postponed.

“It just wasn't safe for anyone to be in that water right now to try to recover this vehicle,” Duguay said.

He helped launch the MADD red ribbon campaign Wednesday.

“And we have another incident pretty much a couple hours later. It's unacceptable.”

MADD Community Leader Chaouki Hamka was disappointed to hear of the incident. “He put his own life at risk. He put his friends, the riders, lives at risk. He put the emergency services personel and the team that's going out to get the vehicle at risk. All because of a senseless decision to drive impaired.”

Impaired driving cases involving both alcohol and drugs are up. 176 cases so far this year compared to 107 during the same period last year. That's a 64 per cent increase.

“I know you heard the message yesterday and it's the same message today as it will be tomorrow. Plan ahead,” said Duguay. “Don't drink and drive. Don't take drugs and drive. Make good choices.”