Blake Ellis
Local Journalism Initiative

A grieving woman admitted to drinking and driving after frightening drivers on Highway 40 near Rokeby Line.
Amanda Joseph plead guilty to impaired driving in Sarnia Court May 5. Court heard a driver veered into the northbound lane on Highway 40 in St, Clair Township near Rokeby Line, in the afternoon of Sept. 29, where other motorists had to go on to the shoulder to avoid a collision.
Police were notified by another motorist the driver might be drunk.
The vehicle continued north on the St. Clair Parkway into Corunna and parked in The Beer Store parking lot, where police caught up to her. Joseph had glossy eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath. Her blood alcohol reading was double the legal limit.
She told police her boyfriend had recently passed away. She had just picked out his headstone that day.
Joseph has since been involved with the Red Path addictions program. Justice Deborah Austin urged her to continue with these programs.
She understands drinking was a way for Joseph to deal with grief and stress, and she wants to get her to find healthier ways to manage.
Joseph was fined $1,000 and is not permitted to drive for one year.