Cocaine, oxycodone, meth, fentanyl in system at time of 3-vehicle crash

James Pidgen had a mixture of drugs in his system when he was Involved in a collision on a major Sault Ste. Marie thoroughfare two years ago, a judge heard Tuesday.

The three-vehicle crash occurred Jan. 18, 2021 on Trunk Road, near Queensgate  Boulevard, shortly before 7 a.m., and injured two people.

Pidgen, 35, pleaded guilty to impaired driving (by drugs) causing bodily harm on the initial day of what was scheduled to be a two-day trial.

Testing revealed the substances were cocaine, oxycodone, meth and fentanyl.

Ontario Court Justice John Condon was told there were constitutional and triable issues.

While the guilty plea is not an early one, it has saved court time, assistant Crown attorney Blair Hagan said.

The accused has no prior criminal record and no outstanding charges, she said.

"It's his first brush with the law," defence counsel Anthony Orazietti said, indicating the issues may have made it a lengthier trial.

The lawyers jointly recommended that Pidgen receive a 12-month conditional sentence which he will serve in the community.

They also called for a two-year driving prohibition.

An accident with injuries is an aggravating factor, but given Pidgen has no record, pleaded guilty, and is remorseful, the joint position is appropriate, Orazietti said.

When he imposed the sentence Condon admonished the accused.

At your age, there is no time in your life that you have not heard that "impairment and driving are a terrible combination," the judge told him

There are "severe social consequences," that not only affect the two victims and Pidgen but ripple into a pool that includes his family members who were in the courtroom to support him, Condon said.

"I'm hopeful at your age that you see the light and have begun to change."

Citing the impact of impaired driving, he told Pidgen the Supreme Court of Canada says "I must do something to deter you and other people."

The message needs to be sent one more time that impaired driving should not occur, he said

Calling the joint position "reasonable in all the circumstances," he agreed to the conditional sentence and the two-year driving ban.

"Consider yourself in jail.... jail served in the community," Condon said, warning 

"The sword of Damocles is hanging over you and if you breach the sentence you can go to real jail."

During the first six months of his sentence, Pidgen will be under house arrest, and can only leave for medical emergencies, medical appointments and employment.

As well, he is permitted to leave his residence on Saturdays, between noon and 4 p.m., to obtain the necessities of life.

In the last six months, he will have a 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew.

Throughout the sentence, Pidgen can't possess or consume any drug not prescribed for him.

He also must participate in any recommended counselling for substance abuse, and psychiatric and psychological issues.

Condon also ordered him to make a $500 donation to a registered charity of his choice by Nov. 1 of this year.