An impaired driver whose vehicle jumped a snowbank in Garden River First Nation in January had a blood-alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit.
Preston Boissoneau, who was behind the wheel of a Ford Bronco, was travelling east on Highway 17 at 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 11.
When he turned onto a road he ended up in a snowbank, and then the vehicle's airbags inflated.
Boissoneau, 26, pleaded guilty to over 80 when he appeared in court last Thursday.
Ontario Court Justice Melanie Dunn heard when police arrived at the scene, officers noted he had glossy eyes, an odour of alcohol, slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet.
He failed a roadside breath test and was taken to the Sault Ste. Marie detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.
Two breathalyzer samples both recorded readings of 230 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, prosecutor Blair Hagan said.
The Crown and defence called for the mandatory minimum fine of $2,000 and a 12-month driving prohibition.
"This is an incredibly early plea" and Boissoneau has no prior record, Hagan said.
Defence lawyer Jessica Belisle noted the readings are aggravating.
Her client's plea is "extremely early" and he is "extremely remorseful," she said.
"This is a one-off. He is a contributing member of society" and wanted to move forward with the plea.
"I'm sorry for my actions," Boissoneau told the judge.
Dunn accepted the lawyers' joint sentencing recommendation for the first-time offender.
"The dangers of drinking and driving are well known," she said.
She gave Boissoneau 60 days to pay the fine and victim surcharge, and prohibited him from getting behind the wheel for a year.