An individual from Oshawa is currently facing charges of impaired driving after being detected driving erratically on Highway 401 by Air1 surveillance.

At approximately 10:45 p.m on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, while actively engaged in proactive patrol duties, the Air1 Tactical Flight Officer of the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) observed a motorist exhibiting erratic driving behavior along Highway 401 in close proximity to Harmony Road in Oshawa. The said vehicle was observed traveling westbound on Highway 401 at speeds exceeding 160km/hr, displaying reckless maneuvers such as weaving through traffic, overtaking other vehicles utilizing the shoulder lane, and narrowly avoiding a collision with a large transport truck.

Air1 tracked the suspect vehicle as it exited Highway 401 at Ritson Road and proceeded southbound at a speed exceeding 100km/hr on Ritson Road. Eventually, the vehicle came to a halt at a specific address within Oshawa’s Lakeview area. Recognizing the severity of the situation, uniformed officers were promptly dispatched to the location, while Air1 maintained visual contact with the vehicle. Upon engaging with the driver, the attending officers duly observed apparent indicators of impairment.

The accused, identified as Mitchell TRASCHLER, aged 26 and a resident of Oshawa, has been charged with several offenses, including Impaired Operation – Alcohol, Dangerous Operation, Operate While Disqualified (twice), and Drive While Suspended.

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

Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Cst. Arafat of Central West Division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2943.