A sentencing hearing outlined the timeline of an impaired driver in Nanaimo on April 27, 2022 which could have turned out much worse. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Impaired driver

Revived opioid user fined after driving away from Nanaimo police, crashing into several vehicles

Oct 28, 2022 | 1:43 PM

NANAIMO — He went from unresponsive behind the wheel of his van to re-entering the vehicle and fleeing from several RCMP officers.

Todd Allan Hartridge, 33, pleaded guilty to impaired driving and flight from police and was sentenced in connection to an incident in the city’s downtown earlier this year.

Hartridge has one year to pay a $2,600 fine and was issued a 12 month driving ban, along witih 18 months probation.

Provincial court in Nanaimo was told during a Thursday, Oct. 27 sentencing hearing Hartridge was spotted unresponsive in his van on Victoria Rd. near Selby St. on the afternoon of April 27.

The Crown’s Liam Thomson said paramedics arrived on scene and administered four shots of naloxone to Hartridge, who eventually regained consciousness outside his van. Hartridge then said he needed to go to work.

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Three Nanaimo RCMP officers were on scene at the time, however court heard Hartridge re-entered his van and was warned by police not to drive or they’d break his window.

Hartridge then put his keys in the ignition and turned his vehicle on.

“Police do break the window, they are unable to get his compliance. Mr. Hartridge drives away — and should be noted some officers move out of the way quite quickly as to avoid being hit by the vehicle.”

Thomson said Hartridge proceeded to hit three vehicles in a series of relatively minor crashes.

Police unsuccessfully tried to get Hartridge to stop, while witnesses stated he was travelling at a high rate of speed.

A third attempt eventually stopped the vehicle and Hartridge was arrested without further incident.

Hartridge was under the influence of high volumes of the morphine Kadian at the time, the Crown said.

“Mr Hartridge did make a choice then chose to drive away. Denunciation and deterrence should be foremost in the court’s mind when determining the appropriate sentence here,” Thomson told court.

Hartridge was represented in court by his father Bruce, who told court he’s a retired Crown prosecutor. He said the RCMP dropped by the ball with their inaction.

“They could have controlled him from even getting into the vehicle. (They) allowed him to get into the vehicle, he locks the door and leaves in the state that he was in,” Bruce Hartridge said.

He said his son was in the midst of severe opioid withdrawal as a result of the naloxone, which often leads to aggressive behaviour, confusion and loss of physical coordination.

Bruce Hartridge emphasized his son shouldn’t be absolved for his behaviour, but said the facts mitigate the circumstances and should lead to a reduced punishment.

The Crown had lobbied for an elevated fine of $4,000 and a two year driving ban.

Bruce Hartridge said his son has not driven since the incident and his substance use is closely monitored.

He said his son has worked hard in recent years to forge a more positive future, which included launching his own business after he was laid off in the early months of the pandemic.

“You have not driven since the day of the offence, you have given away your credit card or funds to try and get any illegal drugs, you have not come to the attention of police,” judge Brian Harvey said.

Harvey added the provincial superintendent of motor vehicles can elect to extend the driving ban if deemed appropriate.

Several other charges against Hartridge were dropped in exchange for his guilty pleas.

He had no prior criminal record and declined to address the court.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes