SARNIA, Ont. - A drunk driver with four prior convictions got nearly two years of jail time for his erratic actions behind the wheel of a farm tractor.
Jeffrey Kerr, 49, who had previously pleaded guilty to impaired driving, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, was in court once again Tuesday in the southwestern Ont. city of Sarnia.
Kerr forced other vehicles off the road when he went on a joyride June 18, 2010. He was swerving from one side of the road to the other, then went into the ditch and apparently passed out but returned to the road with a beer in his hand.
A victim impact statement from one driver stated an area family could have lost a loved one due to the risk posed by Kerr.
Police arrived to find Kerr driving in the middle of the road until they managed to get him to pull over.
In addition to the open beer, there were six empties on the tractor.
Kerr’s speech was incomprehensible except for saying something about watering cows.
Breath samples showed his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
It was Kerr’s fifth conviction for a drinking and driving offence.
His last conviction was in 2005, and he never completed the required remedial course to regain his driver’s licence.
Judge Deborah Austin said the repeated offences, along with the aggravating features of the recent offence, created the potential for a significant jail sentence.
Following the 20-month jail sentence, Kerr will be on a year’s probation when he must take substance-abuse counselling.
He also got a 10-year driving ban.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2011/09/28/18752886.html
