Hamilton police box in alleged drunk driver at James and Barton streets

A 63-year-old Hamilton man is facing impaired and dangerous driving charges after police boxed in his car at James Street North and Barton Street East.

Police received several 911 calls from concerned citizens around 9 p.m. Tuesday reporting a vehicle being driven erratically in the area.

Officers found the driver and blocked the stopped car on all sides using police cruisers, said Const. Krista-Lee Ernst. The driver was arrested.

When police stopped the driver, there was already damage to the front end of the vehicle from a separate incident. Police are also investigating a property damage call. Ernst said there was no impact or damage to cruisers during the arrest.

The 63-year-old is facing charges of dangerous operation, impaired driving, fail to remain, operation while impaired and parole revocation. He is expected to appear in court Wednesday morning.

The arrest happened not far from the scene of a fatal two-car crash at Barton Street West and MacNab Street North, also around 9 p.m. That crash is being investigated separately.

Anyone with information about the impaired driver is asked to call police at 905-546-4925.

To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com