A 69-year-old P.E.I. man who struck a parked vehicle while he was more than 2.5 times the legal limit pleaded guilty to impaired driving in provincial court in Charlottetown.
Stanley Cieczkowski, who had no prior criminal record, appeared before judge John Douglas for plea and sentencing last month.
On Dec. 17 at around 6 p.m., police were dispatched in Charlottetown to a possible impaired driver involved in a motor vehicle accident.
An off-duty RCMP officer at the scene had observed Cieczkowski striking a parked vehicle with his own.
Cieczkowski was still in the driver seat when police arrived. He displayed significant signs of impairment and provided breath samples that were more than 2.5 times the legal limit.
Cieczkowski was taken into custody and released the following day.
Cieczkowski apologized to the court and public for his actions.
“I accept full responsibility and I accept the consequences for my actions,” said Cieczkowski.
He told the court he had a relapse with drinking and went to the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert for 21 days following the incident.
Douglas said his high readings were an aggravating factor, but took into account the positive action Cieczkowski has taken since the event to deal with the underlying problem.
Cieczkowski received a $1,000 fine, $300 victims surcharge and is prohibited from driving for one year.
