P.E.I. woman lies to police about being suicidal

Tina Marie Doucette pleads guilty to failing a breathalyzer

A 39-year-old woman suspected of impaired driving lied to police about feeling suicidal to avoid going to jail.

Tina Marie Doucette pleaded guilty to failing a breathalyzer in provincial court in Charlottetown April 30.

The court heard on March 24, RCMP had a checkpoint set up on Stratford Road.

Doucette showed signs of impairment after being pulled over by police at about 9:20 p.m. She had slurred speech as well as bloodshot and watery eyes.

She was asked to provide her driver’s licence and she fumbled looking for it.

Doucette was immediately arrested for impaired driving.

She provided breath samples that were more than the legal limit.

She told police she was having suicidal thoughts, so they took her to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

After examining Doucette, the doctor advised police she was not suicidal and that she just did not want to go to jail.

Doucette was then lodged at the Provincial Correctional Centre for the night. She had no prior criminal record. Defence attorney Yolande Murphy said Doucette has addiction issues and had been sober for 3.5 years before relapsing.

Doucette recently completed detox and plans to go to a rehabilitation centre in New Brunswick for nine months.

She was sentenced to three days in jail and is prohibited from driving for one year. She must also pay a $1,000 fine and $300 to the victims of crime fund.