A Greater Sudbury senior may never drive again after driving drunk and being prevented from driving away by staff outside the downtown LCBO store in January.
“I have no excuses, your honor,” Jean-Guy Savage, 64, told Ontario Court Justice Robert Main Wednesday just before he received a $1,200 fine and one-year licence suspension concerning an impaired driving conviction.
“Do you think you have a problem?,” Main asked.
“I have more than one problem, actually,” replied Savage.
“Have you tried to get some help?,” continued the judge.
“I have had some treatment,” said Savage. “Somebody told me it should stick..I am thinking of going back.”
“I am sympathetic, if you have had an accident and are still suffering the effects of it,” said Main. “But, you are drinking and driving, trying to get more (alcohol), you are two-and-a-half times the legal limit. You could have caused an accident and somebody else gets injured.”
Savage had pleaded guilty to a charge of impaired driving.
The court heard Greater Sudbury Police received a call about 8:10 p.m. on Jan. 15 from a concerned motorist about a possible impaired driver in the downtown area. About 10 minutes later, LCBO staff at the Cedar Street store called to report a man had been refused service and was attempting to drive away in a 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer.
At about 8:25 p.m., officers arrived at the store and located the car and a man standing next to it. The man had mumbled his words and had difficulty keeping his balance. Officers learned store staff had prevented the man from driving.
The man then failed a roadside breath test and later produced Intoxilyzer readings of 204.
Defence lawyer Michael Macnamara said Savage did not try and drive his vehicle after exiting the store and co-operated with store staff.
Macnamara said Savage is currently working part-time. In 2013, Savage was involved in a serious car accident and now has post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Unfortunately, he does, at times, use alcohol to help him cope,” said Macnamara. “It’s unlikely Mr. Savage, on his limited income, will be able to afford insurance and renew his licence, and will not drive again.”
Source: The Sudbury Star