Several different drugs were coursing through James Bishop’s system as he drove erratically on Highway 1, weaving from side to side and causing traffic to back up nearly one kilometre.
Moose Jaw RCMP eventually arrested the man, but not before he wound up driving in the ditch for some distance.
Appearing in Moose Jaw provincial court recently, Bishop pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. As part of a joint submission, he received a fine of $1,200, a one-year driving ban and the cancellation of his licence.
The Crown stayed three other charges against him.
RCMP received 11 calls from concerned drivers on June 30, 2019 at 8:20 p.m. about an erratic motorist headed eastbound near Belle Plaine, explained Crown prosecutor Rob Parker. Witnesses told police that Bishop was driving all over the road and was weaving from ditch to ditch. Motorists were so fearful of passing him that traffic backed up one kilometre.
Officers pulled behind Bishop’s vehicle with lights and sirens activated, but he did not stop or respond. He then drove into the north ditch between the eastbound and westbound driving lanes. RCMP pulled alongside and continued to follow Bishop as he drove before he finally came to a stop.
“He was described as wide-eyed. He had to be removed from the vehicle because he wasn’t following verbal commands to exit,” Parker said. “He appeared to be impaired by drug and, when secured in handcuffs, repeatedly said his methadone was too much.”
Officers took Bishop to Moose Jaw and they demanded that he provide a urine sample. While in custody, Parker continued, Bishop displayed “gross signs of impairment,” including falling asleep while standing up and asking police the same question repeatedly.
A forensic report based on the urine sample showed Bishop — who had no previous criminal record — had seven drugs in his system, including diazepam and methadone.
Usually, a first-time offence such as this would require a $1,000 fine, but Parker thought $1,200 was appropriate based on what happened on the highway.
“I don’t remember what I was doing,” Bishop said when Judge Brian Hendrickson asked him if what the Crown prosecutor said was accurate.
Bishop explained that he checked himself into the mental health unit at the Regina General Hospital in January, where he participated in two weeks of programming. The hospital then released him and he then took part in day programming to help with his anxiety issues.
“I really needed help. I was really in a bad spot,” he continued. “I’m so sorry for what I did and it haunts me every day. Even though I don’t remember it, it still resonates (with me) when (Parker) reads it. My anxiety goes through the roof. I really didn’t mean for anything to happen.”
Bishop added that his last meeting with mental health workers was just before the coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March.
Judge Hendrickson accepted the joint submission, saying the fine represents how severe the situation was even though it did not result in an accident.
“When you’re weaving all over the road of a public highway, that’s potentially dangerous for other drivers,” he said. “This has haunted you. I do believe you are genuinely remorseful.”
Hendrickson agreed to give Bishop one year to pay or work off his penalty, while he also agreed not to impose the victim surcharge.
The Provincial Court section holds articles that have been written without prejudice with the information that has been presented in a public court of appeal available to the media and public.
