A 22-year-old drunk driver who drove through a stop sign and slammed into another vehicle a year ago has been handed a hefty fine.The accused pleaded guilty in Didsbury provincial court on Wednesday to a charge of driving with a blood-alcohol level greater than 80 mg per cent. He was scheduled to be tried on a charge of impaired driving causing bodily injury but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.The accused was the driver of a pickup truck that went through a stop sign in Olds shortly after 4 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2010, court heard.The pickup then slammed into a car being driven by a 16-year-old girl.The accused's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was 140 mg per cent.The girl continues to suffer the affects of the crash, including anxiety when driving and a sore neck, the Crown prosecutor told Judge Bruce Fraser.ìThis is a crime that has had a significant impact on the community,î said prosecutor Deven Singal.Judge Fraser called drunk driving a serious crime affecting many Alberta communities.ìThe chaos, mayhem and death that is caused on the streets of this province needs to be prevented,î said Fraser. ìI've seen the damage to the innocent person you hit.îWhen asked by Fraser if he had any comment, the accused said, ìNo thank you.îThe judge fined Lee Edward McKay, 22, a total of $5,750 and prohibited him from driving for two years.
