Reminder about ATVs as complaints rise; stolen truck leads to drug charges: Bonnyville RCMP report

ATV complaints

Bonnyville RCMP say there’s been a number of complaints concerning dirtbikes and Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) such as ATVs & UTVs in rural neighbourhoods throughout the MD driving dangerously and illegally.  

The Traffic Safety Act and Off Highway Vehicle Regulation do not provide for these type of vehicles to be driven on the roadway or in neighbourhoods.  

The exception to this, police say, would be a municipal bylaw that allows an OHV users to drive on a roadway for food or lodging using the most direct route, but this exception does not allow for recreational driving.  

The ditch next to a roadway is considered part of the roadway and therefore not a legal area to operate an OHV.  

Another consideration is that all motorists on a roadway must ensure the vehicle they are driving is registered and insured, which often isn’t the case with dirtbikes.  

The fine for operating an ATV on a roadway is $324.  Further fines are applicable if that ATV is  unregistered and/or uninsured.  If you witness dirtbike and/or ATV activity you feel is unsafe or illegal do not hesitate to contact the Bonnyville RCMP or the MD Peace Officers.

Stolen truck

On June 24th a member of the Bonnyville RCMP discovered a stolen truck parked in a driveway on Township Road 611A next to Highway 28. 

Police obtained a search warrant and the truck was recovered and returned to the owner in St. Paul where it was stolen. 

An additional warrant was sought and granted for drugs and weapons noted on the property, police say, and a further search uncovered additional items that were seized. 

Robert Ball, 67, and Derrick Fry, 33, both of Bonnyville are charged with three counts of Possession of Stolen Property, three counts of Failing to Comply with a Release Order Condition, and Possession of Cocaine. 

Fry is further charged with Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine. 

Both men were remanded into custody until their next court appearance on July 3rd.

Airlifted to hospital

On June 22, just after 2:30PM, Bonnyville RCMP, BRFA & EMS were dispatched to a single UTV (side-by-side) injury collision on Highway 660 near Range Road 70. The passenger of the UTV was injured and air lifted to an Edmonton hospital.