A bad situation could have been much worse but for blind luck, a Bracebridge court heard recently.
Appearing earlier this month Marissa Marszalek, 25, pled guilty to impaired driving stemming from an incident that occurred Aug. 15, 2023.
Court heard that on that day at roughly 8:30 pm, the OPP received multiple calls about a vehicle travelling the wrong way on Hwy 400 near Parry Sound into the Muskoka region.
Callers reported the vehicle was weaving across lanes before partially stopping in a live lane of traffic. The vehicle, which was being driven by Marszalek, then proceeded to turn into oncoming traffic and begin driving the wrong way.
Marszalek then struck another car, although the driver saw her coming and attempted to get out of the way.
When police arrived Marszalek was slurring her words and unsteady on her feet.
A breathalyzer came back with readings of 350 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, more than four times the legal limit.
Crown Daniel Thorpe described those readings as “astronomical.”
Marszalek apologized to the court.
“Not a day goes by when I don’t regret my actions,” she said. “I thank god my choices did not result in injury or loss of life.”
Marszalek was sentenced to six months of house arrest, a two-year driving ban and two years of probation.
“It’s impossible for me to overstate the risk of your behaviour to the public,” said Justice Edward Carlton in passing sentence.
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