Drunk driver pleads guilty to near-fatal hit and run
Acity man has admitted he was heavily intoxicated and speeding in the wrong direction on a northeast street in his 2001 Nissan Pathfinder when he struck a smaller vehicle headon, almost killing the driver, nearly three years ago.
Amanjeet Singh Jaswal, 29, also admitted the collision happened moments after fleeing the scene of another crash in which he rear-ended a minivan. He fled the scene going the wrong way.
On Tuesday, Jaswal pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm and hit and run in connection with the carnage he caused on Falconridge Boulevard N.E. just after midnight on May 12, 2010.
Crown prosecutor Jonathan Hak said Jaswal’s blood-alcohol content was calculated to be nearly four times the .08 legal driving limit when he sped at between 95 and 100 km/h on the wrong side of the road into the path of a 2002 Honda Civic driven by Abdul Abolzada, now 26.
Hak told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Colleen Kenny that Abolzada sustained a compound fractured femur, fractures to the pelvis, spine, ribs, foot and left hand, broken tibia and fibula, broken teeth and soft tissue injuries.
As well, he said, the victim suffered a pulmonary contusion on the heart, lacerated liver, damaged kidney, collapsed lung, and damage to the ligaments in both knees.
“Mr. Abolzada underwent surgeries to repair his injuries,” Hak said. “He has rods permanently inserted in both legs and has undergone a very lengthy rehabilitation. He has pain in both of his legs and his ankle every day. He was only able to go back to work in July 2012 — more than two years later.”
The prosecutor noted Jaswal earlier struck a 2006 Dodge Caravan from behind. It was occupied by Francisco and Juvy Montilla, who had stopped for a red light at 64th Avenue and Falconridge Boulevard N.E.
More than $2,100 in damage was caused to their vehicle.
Defence lawyer Kim Ross said he would decide later this week whether or not to have a pre-sentence report ordered for sentencing. The case was adjourned to Friday. If there is no report ordered, sentencing arguments will occur Feb. 28. If reports are ordered, it will be on May 9.