On the morning of October 12, 2025, a simple traffic enforcement operation by officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the Township of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) took a surprising turn. Officers were monitoring speed on Highway 6 when they clocked a vehicle travelling at an alarming 119 km/h in a zone where the limit was just 80 km/h.

As the officers initiated a traffic stop, they were met with an unusual sight: the driver, identified as 37-year-old Michel Desormeaux from Sudbury, made a swift move from the driver’s seat to the rear passenger seat. In a rather audacious attempt to evade the consequences, the front passenger slid into the driver’s seat. This rather theatrical seat-switching stunt did not go unnoticed by the officers, who were likely left shaking their heads at the audacity of the move.

Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Desormeaux was not just speeding; he was also driving under suspension—a serious offence that comes with its own set of legal repercussions. As a result, Desormeaux was promptly arrested and charged with multiple offences, including two counts of driving while under suspension, failure to comply with a release order, and speeding—specifically going 1 to 49 km/h over the posted limit.

Desormeaux is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on November 4, 2025. This incident serves as a reminder to all drivers in Ontario about the importance of adhering to traffic laws, not just for personal safety but also for the safety of others on the road.

While traffic stops can sometimes lead to tense situations, this particular event adds a humorous twist to what could have been a straightforward enforcement action. It also highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with drivers who attempt to evade the consequences of their actions.

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on our road safety, and incidents like this remind us that there is always room for improvement. The OPP continues to urge drivers to follow speed limits and drive responsibly, ensuring our highways remain safe for everyone.