Thomas L. Burnard, 40, pleaded guilty Monday in Sarnia court to driving while his blood-alcohol level exceeded the legal limit. He was fined $1,000.
On Nov. 24, 2016 Burnard crossed the Blue Water Bridge at approximately 5:30 p.m. and parked diagonally in the lane leading to an inspection booth.
A Canada Border Services Agency officer smelled alcohol on Burnard’s breath and he admitted he had been drinking. Burnard failed a roadside breath tests and was arrested.
Subsequent breath samples showed Burnard’s blood-alcohol level was nearly one-and-a-half times the legal limit.
Burnard’s parking was unusual but he had no criminal record, said assistant Crown attorney Aniko Coughlan, who sought the minimum $1,000 fine.
Being unable to drive has been a challenge due to his lengthy commute to work, said Burnard.
A mandatory 90-day licence suspension was imposed following Burnard’s arrest.
Burnard’s early guilty plea was a mitigating factor, said Justice Anne McFadyen, who imposed a $1,000 fine and a one-year driving ban.
Burnard will be eligible to drive after three months if he meets the requirements, including paying for the installation of a breath-test device in his vehicle.
Source: The Sarnia Observer