An Estevan Police Service officer saw a vehicle pull out of a drinking establishment on Oct. 10, and a traffic stop soon afterward led to a conviction in Estevan Provincial Court on Monday.
Bonnie J. Hientz, representing herself, pleaded guilty to operating a conveyance with a blood alcohol level over .08.
Crown prosecutor Kelly Kaip said police had noticed two vehicles leaving an establishment in Estevan. One was a taxi and the second was a red four-door car. That car was observed pulling briefly into an oncoming lane of traffic. Police initiated a traffic stop, and Hientz pulled into a hotel parking lot.
The police officer noticed the smell of alcohol and demanded a breathalyzer test. Hientz blew 0.150 and 0.150. Kaip added that Hientz was “quite co-operative” with police.
Kaip said Hientz had no prior criminal record and asked for the mandatory minimum sentence of a $1,000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition. This was put forward as a joint submission with Hientz.
Judge Michelle Brass asked if Hientz had anything to say, she replied, “No, pretty straightforward.”
Brass sentenced Hientz to a $1,000 fine, a $300 victim impact surcharge, and a one-year driving prohibition.
