Ryan O’Reilly was arrested Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly charged with impaired driving, leaving scene of accident

Just days after signing a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension, Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly was arrested Thursday and charged with impaired driving and leaving the scene of an accident after his pickup truck allegedly hit a Tim Hortons in Lucan, Ont.

The incident, which occurred at 4:05 a.m., was announced by the Ontario Provincial Police’s Middlesex County unit Monday night. CFPL-AM first reported the news earlier in the day.

The 24-year-old O’Reilly, who signed the biggest contract in Sabres history July 3, hit a Tim Hortons on Richmond Street. The truck then traveled southbound on Saintsbury Line, according to police. O’Reilly then abandoned the truck and traveled on foot with his unnamed passenger.

Police found the occupants a short time later on Main Street and the vehicle on Harold Court. O’Reilly was charged and released. He will appear in court August 20.

Since O’Reilly’s blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit of 80 milligrams per 100 millimeters of blood, his license was immediately suspended 90 days. He faces a $1,000 fine and a license suspension of one year if convicted.

Penalties under Canada’s Highway Traffic Act for leaving the scene include a fine of between $400-$2,000, a maximum of six months in jail, seven demerit points on a license and a suspended license for up to two years.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray issued the following statement Monday night: “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.”

An employee who answered the phone at the Tim Hortons referred a reporter to the corporate office.

O’Reilly posted a picture of a green 1951 Chevrolet pickup truck to his Instagram account seven weeks ago. He recently deactivated his Twitter account, according to several reports.

The Sabres acquired O’Reilly and winger Jamie McGinn in a blockbuster trade with the Colorado Avalanche, dealing center Mikhail Grigorenko, defenseman Nikita Zadorov, wing prospect J.T. Compher and the 31st pick at the NHL Draft June 26.

New coach Dan Bylsma has already named O’Reilly his No. 1 center. He has one year and $6 million left on his current contract and is scheduled to make $11 million in 2016-17.

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