Driver who hit two pedestrians had four times the legal blood-alcohol level

KITCHENER — The Crown will be seeking jail time for a driver who had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit after striking two pedestrians in Waterloo.

Ahmed Hagi’s two breath samples measured 338 and 337 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Hagi, 29, of Toronto, was driving a Honda CR-V at a high rate of speed on Churchill Street at about 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 24. He stopped just past a crosswalk at Churchill and Erb Street West, almost striking a car, court was told on Friday.

He then reversed, hitting two pedestrians. One sustained a minor injury to her hand. Hagi drove off, and a witness gave police a detailed description of him and his car.

Court was told that a police officer found Hagi near his car parked on Erb Street. He smelled of alcohol and was arrested for failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

He provided breath samples at 4:18 p.m. and 4:41 p.m., and was charged with impaired driving.

Hagi pleaded guilty on Friday only to the impaired charge. Court heard that proving the other charge may have been difficult. Defence lawyer Bruce Ritter said his client was unaware he hit two pedestrians.

Having a blood-alcohol level of at least twice the legal limit is treated by the courts as an aggravating factor. Crown prosecutor William Dorsey is expected to seek a jail term when Hagi is sentenced next week.