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A Stratford judge lashed out at a drunk driver who crashed his car in Perth South.


A judge has lashed out at a drunk driver who crashed his car near this city about six weeks ago.

Tests showed Greg Miedema was three times the legal limit when he drove his 2009 Mitsubishi into the ditch near Road 113 and Line 26 in Perth South.

“It’s shocking that you would choose to drive with that level of alcohol in your blood,” Ontario Court Justice Kathryn McKerlie said, calling the incident a “very serious criminal offence.”

Miedema, 31, apologized to the judge after pleading guilty to impaired driving in a Stratford courtroom.

“I’m ashamed of my actions,” Miedema said.

Court heard a Stratford police officer arrived at the scene around 10 p.m. on Jan. 23 and saw the car in the ditch on the northeast side of the intersection.

“The vehicle had failed to manoeuvre the curve before the intersection and had entered the ditch on the opposite side of the roadway,” Crown attorney Mary Potter said.

Only one vehicle was involved and Miedema was by himself in the car. Police saw him get out of the front passenger side, but he admitted he was the driver. His defence lawyer pointed out he apologized to police during the incident and pleaded guilty quickly.

Court heard an officer could smell alcohol on Miedema’s breath and noticed he had glossy eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

“You showed obvious signs of impairment and intoxication,” McKerlie said.

He was arrested and taken for testing. The minimum fine was $2,000, according to recently introduced legislation, but Potter asked for $2,200 to reflect the high readings. McKerlie called that figure appropriate.

Miedema also lost his driver’s licence for one year.


Source: London Free Press