Impaired driver receives nearly $2,000 in fines

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on November 9, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

Crashing into a vehicle and running over a light pole while impaired by alcohol has earned a 49-year-old man fines totalling nearly $2,000.

Christian Musagara Mvunabandi pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of impaired driving and was fined $1,950, including a $450 victim surcharge.

Police responded to a collision Aug. 11, 2019 on 6 Avenue and 13 Street North in Lethbridge, where a Nissan Pathfinder driven by Mvunabandi had struck a Mini Cooper while it was stopped at a stop sign. Mvunabandi also struck a light pole, which ended up underneath the Pathfinder.

When officers arrived Mvunabandi was already out of his vehicle, and as he approached police they could tell he was intoxicated.

“Mr. Mvunabandi could not walk in a straight line,” Crown Prosecutor Pierre Grabinski said, adding that Mvunabandi had to hold onto a vehicle to keep himself from falling over.

“Mr. Mvunabandi propped himself up with his right hand on the side of the van, as if he would fall if not holding on.”

Mvunabandi continued to hold onto the van while he talked to police and had to shuffle his feet to keep his balance. Police also smelled alcohol on his breath.

Sherwood Park lawyer Dieudonne Kandolo jointly recommended with the Crown that his client receive a fine, and pointed out Mvunabandi, who does not have a criminal record, is remorseful.

“He’s very sorry for his actions,” Kandolo said.

In addition to his fines, Mvunabandi is also prohibited from driving for one year, although he can participate in the Ignition Interlock Program which, through an alcohol breath-sensing device, allows people to drive while their licence is suspended.

Additional charges of failure or refusal to provide a breath sample, and dangerous driving, were withdrawn.

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