Impaired Qualicum Beach driver restrained by Good Samaritans

He’s attempting to appeal a two-and-a-half year prison sentence after he was convicted for the graphic sexual assault of an unconscious 16-year-old girl in 2020.

Crown counsel’s Leanne Mascolo told a provincial court sentencing hearing in Nanaimo that Blanchard’s conduct drew several 911 calls from the Bowser area, involving an erratically driven white Hyundai Genesis heading south on the old Island hwy.

One caller saw the vehicle hit a roadside concrete barrier where it lost a rear tire, but still proceeded south.

Thanks to actions by an assertive driver, Blanchard’s car was stopped at the Hwy. 19A/Kenmuir Rd. intersection.

“She had actually used her vehicle to stop the car and physically pulled Mr. Blanchard out of his vehicle. This civilian was not injured, but she did indicate that Mr. Blanchard was trying to leave the scene,” Mascolo told court.

No injuries were reported from the incident.

Multiple other concerned citizens suspecting an impaired driver followed the car to the scene.

An Oceanside RCMP officer arrived shortly after, where he saw several citizens holding Blanchard against his damaged car.

After putting Blanchard in handcuffs, the officer reported Blanchard tried to stagger away.

“He also noted that his eyes were bloodshot; he was having difficulty keeping his eyes open,” Mascolo said while outlining an agreed statement of facts.

Blanchard refused a roadside breath sample.

He was later released from custody and has been compliant on house arrest since the impaired driving incident, court was told.

Blanchard pleaded guilty to impaired and dangerous driving charges, while three other charges were dropped as part of an agreement forged between Crown counsel and Blanchard’s lawyer.

The Crown’s Mascolo said Blanchard has demonstrated rehabilitative progress since the incident.

Defence attorney Brent Anderson told court his client has longstanding issues with alcohol and illicit substances.

Anderson noted Blanchard has made strides towards his recovery in group and one-on-one counselling sessions.

Judge Christina Proteau said clearly Blanchard needs to stay away from alcohol.

“I couldn’t agree with your mother more: you can’t drink, that you are not someone that can drink alcohol, not a drop, not a single beer, it just can’t happen,” judge Proteau said.

Blanchard was handed a 12-month conditional sentence order (CSO), which features an overnight curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

One year of probation follows the CSO.

Blanchard was also fined $2,000 and handed a two-year driving ban.

In addition to the sexual assault conviction under appeal, Blanchard was convicted of assault causing bodily harm for an incident in Qualicum Beach in 2024.

He declined to comment to the court, as well as to NanaimoNewsNOW.

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by Ian Holmes

Impaired Qualicum Beach driver restrained by Good Samaritans

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