Drunk driver who hit house jailed

Katelyn Ann Jennings sentenced to 80 days in jail after causing more than $15,000 in damage

GEORGETOWN - A P.E.I. woman who was drunk when she drove into a house while a passenger was in her vehicle was sentenced Thursday to 80 days in jail.

Katelyn Ann Jennings appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Georgetown for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to drunk driving.

During a prior appearance, the court heard the RCMP in Montague responded to a call at around 5:30 a.m. on June 9 about a vehicle hitting a house.

When they arrived, Island EMS and firefighters from Montague were already on the scene where a grey Toyota Corolla was lodged in the building.

The court heard one of the homeowners had a prosthetic limb and, along with causing more than $14,000 in damage to the home, the vehicle damaged his motorized wheelchair.

Damage to the motorized wheelchair was estimated at $1,400 and the court heard Jennings’s insurance company is covering any costs related to the collision.

Crown attorney Nathan Beck told the court Jennings’s passenger said the two were at a bar and went to a party before the crash.

Jennings later provided breathalyzer samples that were around twice the legal limit.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Beck said the incident had a serious impact on the victims who were asleep at the time and unhurt.

The residents lost the use of their home until repairs are finished and, for the man with the prosthetic limb, he lost his mode of transportation, Beck said.

Defence lawyer Thane MacEachern said Jennings accepted responsibility and acknowledged the seriousness of the offence.

Jennings already prepared an apology letter and was very aware of the impact she had on the victims, MacEachern said.

Orr told Jennings it was good luck that no one was injured.

Along with the jail time, Jennings must pay a $2,000 fine and she is banned from driving for two years. Orr also told Jennings, who the court heard had a prior criminal record, she hoped the woman would take advantage of programs available to her so the latest offence would be the last time she ends up before the courts.