Chad Dale Vaughn Lidstone, 52, was sentenced on July 21 to a total of 30 days in jail for dangerous driving and refusing a breathalyzer demand. Photo by Terrence McEachern /Guardian fileArticle contentA P.E.I. man who drove off the road and into a farmer’s field has been sentenced to jail for dangerous driving and refusing a breathalyzer demand.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentChad Dale Vaughn Lidstone, 52, pleaded guilty and was sentenced for the offences on July 21 in provincial court in Charlottetown. Lidstone was also charged with impaired driving but that allegation was stayed by the Crown. Lidstone did not have a prior criminal record.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe factsArticle contentIn terms of the facts, Crown attorney John Diamond told the court that on June 1, near DeSable at about 10:30 p.m., a police officer and another person witnessed Lidstone drive his Mazda MX-5 at a high rate of speed on Route 1. Lidstone was also passing other vehicles in a dangerous manner, which caused approaching vehicles in the oncoming lane to move out of the way.Article contentLidstone continued driving on the Colville Road still at a high rate of speed. A witness then saw Lidstone’s vehicle slide through the Colville Road and Route 2 intersection and drive roughly 60 metres into a farmer’s field.Article contentArrest, breathalyzer refusalArticle contentPolice arrived at the scene and spoke to Lidstone at around 11 p.m. Officers saw that Lidstone was unsteady on his feet and noticed a strong odour of alcohol coming from him. As a result, Lidstone was arrested for impaired driving.Article contentArticle contentLidstone requested to speak to a lawyer. Diamond noted that several attempts were made to contact his private lawyer of choice but were unsuccessful. Phone messages were left with the private lawyer. Lidstone was offered to speak with duty counsel, but more unsuccessful attempts were made to contact his private lawyer. At this point, police made a breathalyzer demand but Lidstone refused, said Diamond.Article contentDefence lawyer Derek Bondt said that Lidstone was dealing with some mental health issues at the time and has taken steps since then to deal with those issues. Bondt also noted that Lidstone is employed full-time and requested that the jail sentence be served on weekends. Lidstone spoke briefly in court and apologized for his actions.Article contentJoint recommendationArticle contentJudge Nancy Orr accepted a joint recommendation from Diamond and defence lawyer Derek Bondt and sentenced Lidstone to 30 days in jail for dangerous driving and 10 days concurrent for refusing the breathalyzer demand. The breathalyzer refusal sentence also includes a $2,000 fine, a $600 victims’ surcharge and a one-year driving ban plus the time in jail. The dangerous driving sentence includes a $100 victims’ surcharge. Lidstone will be on probation until the weekend jail sentence is served in full.Article contentArticle contentTerrence McEachern is a justice reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at tmceachern@postmedia.com.Article content
P.E.I. man gets jail for dangerous driving, refusing breathalyzer demand
