Alex Kurial/Local Journalism Initiative

A Sarnia woman plead guilty to careless driving but avoided a criminal charge following an incident earlier this year.

Bianca Lesenciuc, 33, was pulled over shortly after 2 am on Jan. 9. A Sarnia Police officer had spotted a black Honda driving erratically for some distance. Police said the vehicle was regularly crossing the center line and swerving wildly between lanes.

Finally after a turn across several lanes onto Indian Rd. the officer made a traffic stop. Lesenciuc was driving, with the woman who owned the vehicle in the passenger’s seat. When asked if she’d been drinking Lesenciuc said she’d only had one beer at the Two Amigos Bar & Grill.

The officer called another officer to bring a breathalyzer to the scene. This earned protest from Lesenciuc, who said “Can we please not do this officer,” and “What can I do to get out of this.” When the device arrived she initially refused to provide a breathing sample, but complied after being told she’d be arrested otherwise. 

After incorrectly taking the test several times, Lesenciuc finally registered a failed reading. She was arrested and taken to the police station where she failed the test again. 

Justice Deborah Austin accepted a joint position of a $1,500 fine and 6 month driving suspension during the Sept. 14 sentencing. The ‘Over 80’ charge – which results in a criminal conviction for drunk driving – was dropped. 

Defense lawyer Karl Toews acknowledged the sentence worked in his client’s favor. “She does understand that she’s very fortunate that the Crown agreed to resolve the matter… under the Highway Traffic Act,” he says of Lesenciuc’s plea to the lesser careless driving charge. 

“Obviously this a resolution that is very favorable to you… but one that the court is prepared to accept and approve,” says Austin.

“I just want to apologize for that night,” says Lesenciuc. “I’m glad no one got hurt. It’s definitely a lesson learned. I have lost a lot in regards to all of this, and I promise that you will never see me here again.”