SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A Searletown man found operating his ATV while impaired by alcohol was in court recently.
Richard Michael MacKinnon, 47, was sentenced to 180 days in jail after first responders found him on the ground next to his upside-down all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in Searletown on April 11.
There were two women nearby.
RCMP tried to rouse him, but there was no response.
Officers noted a strong smell of alcohol. MacKinnon was not wearing a helmet.
MacKinnon was taken to hospital, and officers executed a warrant for a blood sample. MacKinnon’s blood alcohol level was 269mg/100ml of blood.
Mackinnon has an extensive record of impaired driving convictions dating back to 1993 and is currently under two driving prohibitions.
In 2017 Judge Jeff Lantz issued a prohibition, and he is still under a 24-month prohibition issued by Judge Nancy Orr in 2019.
MacKinnon pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 110 days for driving with a blood alcohol level more than 80mg/100ml and an additional 70 days for driving while disqualified.
He is prohibited from driving for three years, and he must pay $200 in victim surcharges.
MacKinnon will also be on probation for 18 months.
Judge Krista MacKay indicated he should get help for his alcohol use.
“Your honour, I haven’t had a cigarette or a drink since,” MacKinnon said.
