Driver fined for wrong-way ride

THE LEADER POST

SASKATCHEWAN - A Moose Jaw man was handed a $2,500 fine for causing a collision while driving the wrong way on Ring Road in October.

Sheldon W. Ashworth, 20, pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm when he appeared at Regina Provincial Court on Wednesday. In addition to the fine, he was handed a two-year driving prohibition.

Defence lawyer Aaron Fox told Judge Marylynne Beaton his client had a ticket to the Rider game on Oct. 3. However, at some point before the game, Ashworth lost his ticket and instead ended up at a bar. From there, the evening went from bad to worse.

In from Moose Jaw, Ashworth was to spend the night at a friend's and had hung the keys to his truck up there as he had not intended to drive.

"He doesn't have a recollection of how he ended up driving," Fox said.

He said his client was on antibiotics at the time and, combined with the alcohol he'd consumed, got disoriented while on Ring Road that evening. Believing he was on the highway to Moose Jaw, Ashworth instead ended up travelling north in the southbound lanes. Fox noted Ashworth was witnessed driving in the right lane, implying he believed he was in the proper lane on a standard two-lane highway.

Court heard two women travelling southbound on Ring Road between Victoria and Arcola avenues were shocked to suddenly see a truck heading right for them. Witnesses described something between a head-on collision and a side swipe as the two vehicles connected. They estimated the offending vehicle was travelling at highway speed or somewhat over at the time of impact.

When emergency crews arrived, they found the two female victims both injured with cuts and bruises, while Ashworth ended up with a broken leg. All three were taken to hospital. Crown prosecutor Leta Brierley didn't mention whether Ashworth's male passenger had been injured.

Fox said Ashworth's blood-alcohol level was estimated at .13 at the time of the crash. Brierley said he told police "he maybe had one too many drinks and it confused his mind."

"It's fortunate ... that the injuries that were sustained were as minor as they are," the prosecutor said.

Fox and his client, who briefly addressed the court himself, agreed.

"I would give anything to take back that night ...," Ashworth said, adding he wanted to say "sorry to those girls for all the pain I caused them."

"I'm never going to make those choices that would endanger a person again," he finished.