Man who ran into two parked cars admits to careless driving

Jordan Pavoni faced three Criminal Code charges after striking two parked vehicles on an east-end residential street in the early morning hours of March 26.

On Monday, the 31-year-old Sault Ste. Marie man appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice, where the Crown accepted his plea of guilty to careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).

His lawyer, Wayne Chorney, told the court there were a number of triable issues, including the fact that a breath demand wasn't made by an officer at the scene, but rather by an officer at the police station.

Justice Romuald Kwolek heard city police were called to Chambers Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. about a driver who had struck a parked vehicle, went into a driveway and hit a second one.

Pavoni, who had been drinking earlier in the night, recorded breathalyzer readings of 120 and 110 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, prosecutor Karen Pritchard said.

He was charged with impaired driving, operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level exceeding the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, and dangerous driving.

The Crown and defence jointly recommended that the court accept their submission for a monetary penalty, plus probation, for the HTA offence

The lawyers called for a $2,000 fine and six months probation with conditions.

Chorney said his client, who has been employed at the Donald Doucet Youth Centre for six years, has "absolutely has no record," under the Criminal Code or the HTA.

"I'm just glad no one was seriously hurt when everything is all said and done," Pavoni told the judge during his virtual court appearance.

When he accepted the joint submission, Kwolek imposed the $2000 fine, plus court costs and a victim surcharge.

He gave the accused one year to pay the monetary penalty.

As well, he placed Pavoni on probation  for six months with conditions that include a requirement that he have zero blood alcohol levels while driving or having control of a vehicle.

He must also carry the court order with him at all times, and must comply with any screening demand.

The other three charges were withdrawn.