An "atrocious" driving pattern was what tipped the public to an intoxicated driver who was over three times the legal limit.
On July 30, Bonnyville RCMP received a complaint from the public about an industrial truck swerving on Hwy. 55.
Police located the vehicle and its driver, 25-year-old Keifer Bernard Johnson, at a complete stop, idling in the middle of the highway.
According to the officer, tire tracks in the ditch indicate Johnson had swerved into the ditch, corrected his vehicle, and came to a complete stop mid-road.
St. Paul chief Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr told the Bonnyville provincial court on Tuesday, Sept. 17 Johnson was described as "sloppy in his seat," with slurred speech.
Johnson was unable to provide a roadside sample, and was arrested for impaired driving.
At the detachment, Johnson provided breath samples resulting in readings of 250-milligrams of alcohol per 100-millilitres of blood, a detection over three times the legal limit, said Kerr.
In addition to the high readings, the Crown took his driving pattern, which was "a significant danger to anyone on the road" especially considering he was operating a semi-truck, as factors when determining their recommended sentence, Kerr noted.
Johnson pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level over .08 during his appearance in court.
The Crown was seeking a $5,000 fine and a two-year driving prohibition as a result of the high readings, however, Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams agreed with the defence's suggestion of a $3,000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition.
According to defence, this incident "woke him up," and he hadn't been aware of just how drunk he was after three shots of homemade moonshine.
Johnson said he sought addictions counselling in St. Paul as a result, and has a new seasonal job that keeps him busy while he waits for his driver's license to be reinstated.
Williams agreed with Kerr that the driving pattern, level of intoxication, and where he stopped his vehicle were aggravating factors. She balanced these items with the fact that Johnson is a first time offender.
She described the Crown's recommendation as "a little harsh."
In addition to the fine and driving prohibition, Johnson will have to pay a $900 victim fine surcharge.
Williams said the fact that no one was injured and there were no collisions reported was "just luck."
