(WWJ) Two drivers are facing drug-impaired driving charges after getting pulled over hours apart at the newly-opened Gordie Howe International Bridge.
According to Windsor Police, the first stop happened just before 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, when border officers pulled a driver into secondary inspection after smelling marijuana coming from his vehicle.
Police said the man was so unsteady he needed help standing and walking when he stepped out of the car. He also had glassy eyes and struggled to answer basic questions.
After being taken to police headquarters, 41-year-old Darryl Devon Gordon failed a series of sobriety tests and was charged with impaired driving.
Only five hours later, around 1 a.m. on July 31, officers were called back to the bridge for a similar scene. Border agents had pulled over another incoming driver who was showing obvious signs of impairment, and they found a canister of nitrous gas sitting inside his car.
The driver, 22-year-old Jesus Vasquez Gomez, was taken to headquarters, failed his physical coordination tests, and was also charged with drug impairment.
Police say these cases are part of a troubling trend. Drug-impaired driving charges in Windsor have surged by 260% so far this year compared to the same time in 2025, jumping from 10 cases to 36. Drunk driving is also on the rise, with charges up nearly 58% over last year.
Authorities are urging anyone who spots a suspected impaired driver on the road to call 911 right away with the vehicle's description and direction. For Windsor residents: If you or someone you know needs support following an incident, Victim Services Windsor Essex County can be reached at 519-723-2711, or you can contact the local Victim Assistance Unit at 519-255-6700, extension 7179.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge just opened to vehicle traffic the afternoon of Monday, July 27. The highly-anticipated multi-use path for walkers and bikers is set to open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
