THUNDER BAY – A Thunder Bay man will be subject to six months of house arrest and a three-year driving ban for drinking and subsequent erratic, high-speed driving which forced two heavy trucks off the road.
Clint Harris, The Chronicle-Journal's publisher who has been on leave since the August 2018 incident, was sentenced in a Thunder Bay courtroom to on Friday after pleading guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of more than 80 milligrams.
Ontario Court Justice Gary Kunnas accepted the joint sentencing submission from Crown prosecutor Emily Delaney and defence lawyer Gil Labine for a six-month conditional sentence, 12-month probationary order, three-year driving prohibition and a $1,500 fine.
According to an agreed statement of facts read into court, Harris was driving his black Mercedes sedan east on West Arthur Street on the afternoon of Aug. 29, 2018. With an off-duty police officer following, Harris was observed driving at a high rate of speed and was swerving into oncoming traffic.
Harris went into oncoming lanes to pass other vehicles, including as far as the opposite shoulder. His driving forcing two westbound dump trucks to veer off the roadway and another vehicle to slam the brakes to avoid a collision. He also struck a metal sign on the Arthur Street centre meridian in front of the Valhalla Inn.
The off-duty officer later arrested Harris near the Arthur Street and Mountdale Avenue intersection.
Testing done at the Thunder Bay Police Service station following the arrest determined Harris was more than two times over the legal blood-alcohol limit.
Delaney, who submitted that Harris had a “related but dated” record, said it was fortunate that nobody was injured and that drinking and driving offences should be treated seriously.
Harris was named publisher of The Chronicle-Journal in 2014 and has been on sick leave since the incident.
Labine, who called the sentence fair, described Harris as a “stellar” member of the Thunder Bay community. Harris’ community involvement includes being on the board of directors of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and chair of the Lakehead Learning Foundation.
A photo of the arrest, in which Labine described Harris’ face as being implanted onto the pavement, appeared on social media. The lawyer said the circulation of that photo was a source of embarrassment for Harris.
Labine said Harris immediately sought out help after the incident and has participated in a number of different treatment programs for his alcohol addiction.
The six-month conditional sentence requires Harris to be under house arrest, except for employment purposes, to attend approved counselling and rehabilitation programs or for medical emergencies. During the conditional sentence and subsequent probationary period, Harris was ordered not to consume alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. He was also ordered to not go to any bars and must participate in any supervisor approved treatment.
Outside of court, Labine said Harris is very contrite and very remorseful.
Delaney withdrew charges of impaired operation of a motor vehicle, failure to remain at the scene and operating a motor vehicle with no insurance that had been initially laid.
