PARRY SOUND- Harry Rudolph spent his last day at the Britt cottage shingling the roof before locking the door for the winter and heading home to Toronto.

The 63-year-old didn’t make it very far.

Just after 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 West Parry Sound OPP, Britt and Area Fire Department and Parry Sound EMS were called to Riverside Drive where a guardrail next to the waterway stopped Rudolph’s car. Rudolph was charged with drug impaired driving, held in custody and his vehicle impounded.

Around 3 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23 he was driven by an officer to West Parry Sound Health Centre suffering from a stroke, said his long-time friend and fellow cottager US. Brig.-Gen (Retired) David Phillips. Phillips said it was the stroke that caused the collision.

“I understand mistakes are made, but why didn’t paramedics take him and not let him sit in a cell for five hours,” said Phillips, who had retired as the Chief of Military Police.

On Wednesday Rudolph remained in hospital with friends and family visiting. He was awake, but he wasn’t able to speak or move on his left side.

“I understand mistakes are made, but why didn’t paramedics take him and not let him sit in a cell for five hours,” said Phillips, who had retired as the Chief of U.S. Military Police.

Rudolph’s elderly father, whom Rudolph lives with along with a disabled brother, called Phillips.

A news release of his friend’s arrest went online Tuesday afternoon, prompting Phillips to reach out to media to correct the record. He’s also been in contact with the officer who brought Rudolph to hospital.

To date, the charges remain.

Requests for comment from West Parry Sound OPP were not answered by Thursday, Oct. 26 at press time.