A provincial court judge had harsh words Wednesday, Jan. 29 for a man who pleaded guilty to drinking and driving, failing to stop and fleeing from police in Prince George.
Judge Michael Brecknell ordered Levi Michael Lorenson, 24, to spend two months under house arrest, two months under 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for six days a week and 20 months on probation for the April 30, 2024 incident in College Heights.
Brecknell also banned Lorenson from driving for two years and he must pay a $2,000 fine plus $600 victim surcharge within two years.
“Your behaviour on that day was so egregious, in my view, the criminal record is necessary,” Brecknell said.
Lorenson was severely intoxicated when he rear-ended another vehicle in the Domano Boulevard Dairy Queen lineup. He drove away in the Volvo from the scene without sharing licence and insurance information with the other driver. Prince George RCMP were alerted to an impaired driver and attempted to stop Lorenson, but he fled.
“Certainly he had no regard for anybody else on the road,” Brecknell said.
Lorenson was finally apprehended by an off-duty officer after he had lost control and struck a tree. His blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. “He was grossly intoxicated,” the judge said.
Brecknell said Lorenson’s lack of criminal record and decision to plead guilty instead of stand trial were in his favour. The pre-sentence report said he stopped drinking the day after the incident.
“That, if it’s true, is a positive sign, because he should not be drinking, at least he should not be drinking anywhere near a motor vehicle,” Brecknell said.
Brecknell remarked that Lorenson, a drywaller, has no serious underlying issues, such as a mental illness or addiction. Nonetheless, he is barred from consuming alcohol or drugs, except for a prescription medication, during his conditional sentence.
“It’s important to keep in mind that Mr. Lorenson has employment,” Brecknell said. “He wants to be a contributing member of society, so he should be allowed to serve that sentence in the community.”
