Driver fined after crash

A 21-year-old Brock University student who totalled his car following an early morning crash on Lundy’s Lane has been ordered to stay off the roads with the exception of driving to school and work. Milan Stegnajaic, of Niagara Falls, was originally charged with the criminal offence of impaired driving following the Aug. 19 crash. He pleaded guilty Thursday in an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to a charge of careless driving, a violation under the Highway Traffic Act. Court heard Stegnajaic was driving down Lundy’s Lane near Kalar Road at 3:15 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic. He struck a light standard and a bus shelter before the vehicle flipped over onto its roof. He was taken to the Greater Niagara General Hospital for observation and treatment for a cut to his hand. Results of a breath test, taken almost four hours after the crash, indicated Stegnajaic had a blood/alcohol reading of 65 milligrams of alcohol per 100 mililitres of blood. The reading at which someone is considered impaired is 80 milligrams. Defence lawyer Joseph LoConte told Judge Ann Watson his client lost control of his car after he swerved to avoid a pedestrian standing in the roadway. “You indeed are very lucky you were not injured and others were not injured when this occurred,” the judge told the first-time offender. The judge imposed a $1,500 fine and several driving restrictions. He can only drive to work or school and he cannot be behind the wheel with any alcohol in his system.