Kitchener man called police to report a drunk driver — his dad

KITCHENER - A man called police to report a drunk driver - his dad.

On the night of Dec. 19, 2021, the son told Waterloo Regional Police his father had driven off from their Kitchener house while impaired, court was told Friday.

Around 11:30 p.m., officers found the car parked in his driveway. The engine was off.

The front grille was still warm despite the temperature being -9 degrees," said Crown prosecutor Thomas Mack.

The man, 57, admitted to police he had been driving, saying he arrived home five minutes before police arrived.

Officers said he was unsteady on his feet. Breath tests revealed the amount of alcohol in his blood was more than twice the legal limit for driving. He was charged with impaired driving.

But the Crown would have had difficulty proving the charge, due to a potential Charter issue and the fact police didn't see him behind the wheel.

The Crown agreed to accept a guilty plea to careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act. The criminal charge was withdrawn.

I must say that I'm glad that your son called the police," Justice Craig Sigurdson told the man, because ... your driving could well have placed the public and/or yourself significantly at risk."

The judge accepted a recommendation from Mack and defence lawyer Steve Gehl for a $1,000 fine.

While on probation for one year, he can have no alcohol in his blood while driving. He can drive only his personal vehicle, and it must have an ignition interlock device, which prevents the engine from starting if alcohol is detected.

Gordon Paul is a Waterloo Region-based reporter focusing on crime for The Record. Reach him via email: gpaul@therecord.com