Report: Ryan O’Reilly hits Tim Hortons in new truck, charged with impaired driving

Ryan O’Reilly of the Buffalo Sabres has been charged with “driving a motor vehicle while ability impaired (alcohol) and care or control over 80 mgs” and fleeing the scene of an accident, according to CFPL AM in Ontario.

No injuries were reported.

From reporter Craig Needles:

According to Middlesex County OPP, a green Chevrolet pickup truck struck a commercial building on Richmond St. last Thursday morning (July 9) just after 4:00am. An employee of the Lucan Tim Hortons confirmed to AM980 that there had been a motor vehicle incident, but was unaware of the driver’s identity.

After the collision, police say a suspect drove the vehicle southbound on Saintsbury Line, before abandoning it and travelling by foot with another, unnamed, male occupant. The vehicle was located on Harold Court, while both occupants were found on Main Street.

Police determined that the driver had been drinking alcohol. He was arrested, transported to an OPP detachment for breath testing, then released on a promise to appear.

After being traded by the Colorado Avalanche, he signed a 7-year, $52.5-million contract with the Buffalo Sabres that kicks in the 2016-17 season. The Sabres have yet to comment on the report.

O’Reilly was apparently driving the classic 1951 Chevy truck that was featured on his Instagram account.

He hashtagged the image #Heads, which we assume was an early warning for anyone in a nearby Tim Hortons at 4 a.m.

According to Needles, O’Reilly will appear in a London, Ont. Court to answer the charges on Aug. 20. No word if he’ll call his 2014 Lady Byng Trophy to the stand as a character witness.

Once again, people: You can visit the Tim Hortons drive-thru, but police generally frown upon attempting to drive through a Tim Hortons. Know the difference.

UPDATE: Sabres general manager Tim Murray released a statement on O'Reilly on Monday night after the news broke:

“We are aware of the reports regarding the incident involving Ryan O’Reilly last week. We are currently in the process of gathering more information and will have no further comment until we have spoken with all parties involved.”

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