THUNDER BAY - A Thunder Bay woman apologized in court for driving a stolen vehicle while impaired by drugs earlier this month after she lost control while driving and crashed into a fence.
Amanda Sarah Paul, 32, appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom by audio on Monday, July 27, and was sentenced for three offences that took place on July 6 involving a stolen rental SUV.
“I can’t believe I did that. I could have killed somebody,” Paul said at her sentencing hearing on Monday. “I realize that now and I’m glad I got on Suboxone and that I am thinking rational now.”
Paul faces a 60-day jail sentence after she pleaded guilty to one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, operation of a motor vehicle while impaired and breaching a probation order.
On July 6, a man riding his bicycle witnessed a red SUV driving northbound on Simpson Street when he saw the accused come to a stop at an intersection, Crown counsel Matthew Paik said on Monday.
The witness said he saw the accused fall asleep behind the wheel for two to three minutes before suddenly accelerating with its hazard lights flashing and the horn blaring. The vehicle was also witnessed almost hitting parked vehicles and was swerving, Paik added.
A second witness who was outside of his residence saw the accused conduct a U-turn in an intersection and shortly afterwards saw the driver lose control of the vehicle and crash into a nearby fence in the 100-block of Finlayson Street.
The accused was witnessed attempting to reverse but was stuck and remained in the vehicle, Paik said.
A police officer attended the area where a sobriety test was administered. Paul was arrested and brought to the police station headquarters where further drug testing was conducted. Paul admitted she had consumed purple heroin down earlier that day. It was also determined by police that the vehicle had been stolen the day previously from a car rental company.
Judge David Gibson sentenced Paul to 60 days plus a 12-month probation period. Part of her probation period will require her to complete counselling or rehabilitative programs to address her substance abuse issues. This was a joint sentence submission recommended by her lawyer Leon Nicol and crown counsel.
She also faces a driving prohibition for a period of one year.
