CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A 70-year-old woman who hit a flagger while driving and then left the scene was recently given a suspended sentence in provincial court.
Patricia Marie Robinson appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.
Robinson was driving on Sept. 25 when she hit a flagger who ended up missing several weeks of work.
The accused drove away after the collision.
She was initially charged with dangerous driving and assault with a weapon but pleaded guilty to a lesser offence.
During the proceedings, the court heard submissions that a medical condition played a factor in the accident.
Although the suspended sentence was a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence, Orr said it was not what someone would normally get after hitting a flagger with a vehicle.
“The facts of this matter are pretty high end,” Orr said.
Defence lawyer Conor Mullin told the court Robinson’s actions were out of character for her, and she may no longer be fit to drive due to her medical condition.
With the suspended sentence, Robinson will be on probation for 18 months and must perform 100 hours of community service or pay $10 per hour not completed to the Upper Room.
Robinson must also pay $308.45 in restitution to the victim and write an apology letter.
She must surrender her driver’s licence and is banned from driving for 18 months as part of her probation along with a separate driving prohibition under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Orr included a further condition that Robinson meet with the registrar of motor vehicles or his deputy at least three months before the end of the probation period to undergo an assessment to determine if she is able to drive.
