Drunk driver sentenced in head-on crash
An Edmonton man who swerved into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with another vehicle while impaired by alcohol was sentenced to time in custody.
Judge Michèle Collinson sentenced Mykolay Chuyko, 24, to 10 months in jail and an 18-month driving prohibition at St. Albert Provincial Court on Aug. 22.
Chuyko initially pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm on Feb. 7, 2022. At the time, Collinson recommended Chuyko, who was representing himself, get a pre-sentencing report completed to aid in sentencing.
On Aug. 2, 2019, Chuyko was driving his Mazda on Highway 28 when he entered oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head-on, court heard. As Chuyko was being treated for his injuries, an attending constable smelled alcohol on his breath.
A sample showed Chuyko had a blood alcohol level of 165 mg per 100ml, court heard.
The driver of the other vehicle had broken bones in both feet that required surgery.
Chuyko was a hard worker with “stellar attendance,” court heard, and did not have a previous criminal record.
Collinson said the blood alcohol level was a statutory aggravating factor, as well as the driving itself, which was erratic and in the wrong lane.
Court heard Chuyko still drinks around 15 beers once a week and acknowledged his addiction but has not yet taken steps to treat it.
Collison told Chuyko he is an ongoing danger to the community.
“The only way for denunciation is to impose a period of incarceration,” she said.
Man gets probation for head-butting
A St. Albert man who assaulted his then-girlfriend and his father was sentenced in court on Monday.
Austin Walesiak, 29, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation by Judge Michèle Collinson at St. Albert Provincial Court on Aug. 22.
On April 17, 2022, St. Albert RCMP were called to a domestic assault in progress by Walesiak’s mother, court heard.
Walesiak, who was staying at his parents' home, assaulted his then-girlfriend. When Walesiak’s father tried to intervene, Walesiak punched and head-butted him.
Court heard Walesiak had no previous criminal record. The sentence was a joint submission by the Crown and duty counsel.
The 12-month probation order contains mandatory conditions, including a treatment condition for anger management and/or domestic violence.
Man sentenced for stolen licence plate
An Edmonton man who sought help after smoking marijuana at the Sturgeon Community Hospital was sentenced to time in jail after police found him passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle.
Judge Michèle Collinson sentenced Collin McDonald, 32, to 15 days in jail for one count of possession of property under $5,000, along with a $3,000 fine for one count of driving an uninsured motor vehicle, at St. Albert Provincial Court on Aug. 22.
St. Albert RCMP received a call on Aug. 2, 2022 from hospital staff about a couple who sought help after smoking marijuana and appeared unstable, court heard.
Police found McDonald passed out in the driver’s seat with the vehicle running in the parking lot of the hospital.
The licence plate on the vehicle was stolen, court heard, and McDonald told police he had no valid insurance.
McDonald, who appeared from the Edmonton Remand Centre by CCTV, had been in jail since Aug, 5, which with time served meant he had been incarcerated for 18 days.
“You have served your jail sentence by way of pre-custody,” said Collinson.
McDonald was given six months to pay his statutory $3,000 fine.
