Impaired Driving Charges Laid After Serious Hit and Run in Old Perlican

Community Safety Alert for Newfoundland and Labrador

Harbour Grace RCMP has charged a 43-year-old man from Red Head Cove, identified as Patrick Turpin, in connection with a hit and run collision that occurred in Old Perlican on March 9, 2026. The investigation was advanced after forensic blood analysis was completed and returned in mid-May.

Police say that just after 4:00 p.m. on March 9, 2026, a pickup truck reportedly crashed into the deck of a home on Circular Avenue in Old Perlican and then left the scene. The collision caused major damage to the wooden patio structure. A short time later, investigators located the same driver unresponsive and seriously injured in a heavily damaged vehicle on Red Head Road, north of Route 70. He was taken to hospital, and subsequent forensic testing of seized blood samples led to impaired driving charges.

Official RCMP Details

Based on the information released by Harbour Grace RCMP, the following key details have been confirmed:

• Date and time of incident: Shortly after 4:00 p.m. on March 9, 2026.
• Location of hit and run: A residence on Circular Avenue in Old Perlican, Newfoundland and Labrador, where a pickup truck struck the home’s deck.
• Property damage: The wooden patio/deck structure at the residence sustained extensive damage.
• Follow-up location: The involved vehicle and driver were later located on Red Head Road, north of Route 70, near Red Head Cove.
• Driver condition: The driver, identified as 43-year-old Patrick Turpin, was found unresponsive and suffering from serious injuries behind the wheel of a heavily damaged vehicle and was transported to hospital.
• Forensic evidence: Police obtained a warrant and seized Turpin’s blood samples from the medical facility for forensic toxicology analysis.
• Toxicology results: In mid-May 2026, the forensic laboratory report confirmed that Turpin’s blood alcohol concentration was more than four times the legal limit under the Criminal Code.

Charges and Licence Consequences

As a result of the investigation and forensic findings, the following charges and actions have been reported:

• Criminal charges:
  • Impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
  • Impaired operation with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 mg%.
• Court appearance: Harbour Grace Provincial Court on August 5, 2026, where Turpin is scheduled to answer to the above charges.
• Administrative sanction: Under the provincial Highway Traffic Act, Turpin’s driver’s licence has been suspended.

Police reiterate that choosing to operate any motor vehicle while impaired creates an extreme and unnecessary danger for everyone on the road. Members of the public who suspect an impaired driver are urged to contact 911 immediately so that police can respond without delay.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this case highlights the severe risk impaired driving poses to residents across Newfoundland and Labrador. A single decision to drive while intoxicated can cause life-altering injury, significant property damage, and even fatalities, whether on residential streets such as Circular Avenue or rural routes like those around Red Head Cove. Community awareness and swift reporting are critical tools in preventing further harm.

For residents who want to better understand patterns of crime and road safety risks in smaller Newfoundland and Labrador communities, resources such as our crime and safety statistics for Red Bay and other towns provide context about local policing challenges and public safety trends. Regardless of where you live—urban or rural—plan ahead for a sober ride, use designated drivers or taxis, and report suspected impaired driving to 911 as soon as it is safe to do so. These actions directly support safer roads and communities throughout the province.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the newfoundland-and-labrador community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.