Impaired driver ditches vehicle

(HOWICK, ON) - An impaired driver led police through a swamp and up a tree before he was finally taken into custody, Friday night.
 
Feb. 24, at 8:30 p.m., Huron County OPP officers responded to the area of Orange Hill Road, northwest of Gorrie, to patrol for a possible impaired driver whose vehicle had nearly struck another vehicle. As officers began responding to the call, police learned the male driver had ditched his Lincoln sports utility vehicle, had fled the scene and entered a nearby swamp. 

After exiting the swamp, the impaired driver then entered a nearby parked vehicle and was getting ready to leave when he was confronted by the vehicle owner. The man then took off on foot and decided to climb up a large tree.
 
Police arrived on scene and began speaking with the man. After some convincing, he gave himself up and climbed down from the tree. He was promptly placed under arrest and taken into custody. The investigating officer observed the driver exhibiting several signs that he had been using a drug and his ability to drive was impaired by a drug. 
 
As a result, the driver was transported to the Wingham OPP detachment where a Drug Recognition Expert evaluated him and formed the expert opinion that he was impaired by a drug. 
 
As a result, the driver, Kevin SPITZIG, 39, of South Bruce, has been charged with Impaired Operation by Drug, Theft of Motor Vehicle and Trespass by Night. He has since been released from custody with a court date scheduled for March 13, at the Ontario Court of Justice - Goderich. He also received an automatic 90-day driver's licence suspension.

*THESE CHARGES HAVE YET TO BE PROVEN IN COURT*