'Lucky to be alive': Drunk driver who slammed into house fined $3K

An intoxicated driver who blew through a stop sign and ploughed into a Wellington Street West home last year was fined $3,000 Thursday.

Jonathan Thompson pleaded guilty to impaired driving and dangerous operation when he appeared in a Sault Ste. Marie courtroom.

His blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit on the night of Sept. 20, 2022, Ontario Court Justice Melanie Dunn heard.

The 28-year-old was seriously injured when his vehicle was "partially lodged" in the house, located at the intersection of Henrietta Avenue and Wellington Street West.

Firefighters had to extricate an unconscious Thompson from his car, assistant Crown attorney Gary Knox said.

He was transported to the Sault Area Hospital's intensive care unit.

Police noted the strong odour of alcohol in the vehicle.

A blood sample determined Thompson had a reading of 278 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Officers obtained a video that showed the vehicle driving at a high speed along Henrietta, Knox said. It drove through the stop sign and hit the residence.

His actions caused extensive damage to the home and his vehicle, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Jessica Belisle said her client "doesn't have an independent recollection" of that night.

"He has accepted responsibility and is very remorseful [for what the homeowners have had to deal with]," she told Dunn. "He has abstained from consuming alcohol since then."

The lawyers jointly recommended that Thompson receive a $2,000 monetary penalty (the minimum fine) for the impaired offence and a further $1,000 fine for the dangerous driving.

When she imposed the sentence, Dunn noted Thompson's "very high readings" and that he had caused serious injuries to himself.

"You are lucky to be alive," the judge told him.

Thompson is prohibited from driving for 12 months and has a year to pay the fines.