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A man, who was banned from driving in 2007 after nine convictions for impaired driving-related offences, faces yet another drunk driving charge following a collision that sent a pregnant woman to hospital.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Niagara Regional Police were called to the intersection of Morrison St. and Crysler Ave. to investigate a motor vehicle collision.

Police say a Super-M excavator being operated by a 63-year-old Niagara Falls man collided with a van driven by a 32-year-old Welland woman who was six months pregnant.

Numerous witnesses told police the excavator had approached the stop sign with the bucket in the halfway up position and did not come to a complete stop. The machine struck the passenger side of the van.

Police say the suspect was an unlicensed driver, having been prohibited from driving in 1969.

They also learned the accused had been convicted of nine previous charges related to drinking and driving and four previous charges of driving while disqualified.

The man had also been issued six separate prohibition orders for driving and was suspended for life from having a driver’s licence in 2007.

The woman was taken to hospital for observation, but no serious injuries were reported.

Charged with impaired driving is James Meagher, of Niagara Falls. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Source: Niagara Falls Review