Jail for woman who drove into ditch

A 32-year-old woman who drove her truck into a ditch while she was drunk was sentenced Wednesday to seven days in jail.

Catherine L. Hamel appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown where she entered a guilty plea.

The court heard that on Feb. 8 the RCMP responded to a two-vehicle collision in Johnstons River. When they arrived, the police found a van in the middle of the road and Hamel’s truck in a ditch. A blood sample taken at the hospital showed Hamel’s blood alcohol level was almost 1.5 times the legal limit.

Defence lawyer Yolande Murphy said Hamel spent five days in hospital because of her injuries. Along with the jail time, Hamel will be on probation for 18 months and must perform 100 hours of community service. She is banned from driving for one year and must pay a $100 victim surcharge.