(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Impaired driving

Drunk driver responsible for ramming vehicle and spitting on cop avoids jail time

Sep 10, 2020 | 8:00 AM

A woman responsible for a potentially disastrous incident north of Prince Albert last year, has said she is very sorry, and is devastated by the knowledge she could have hurt two young children.

Tanya Applegate, 45, was sentenced Wednesday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court after pleading guilty to a number of charges including assault with a weapon, assaulting a peace officer, and refusing to provide a breath sample.

For the charges, she ultimately received a six month conditional sentence; will pay a fine of $2,000; is prohibited from driving for one year; and must also complete 50 hours of community service.

The incident happened around 8:45 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2019. According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Robyn Ermine, the accused had initially nearly run the victim’s SUV off the road near One Stop.

The driver of the SUV turned around and approached Applegate, taking photos of the car she was in. After getting back into their own vehicle and driving away, the victim noticed Applegate driving towards them and then rammed them, not once but twice.

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“I am just sorry it happened” _{– Tanya Applegate}

Inside the victim’s car were four people, including two children, who immediately did their best to escape.

One of the passengers was knocked six feet back from the impact and one of the children suffered a minor leg injury while exiting the vehicle. After seeing what had transpired nearby, witnesses came to assist.

“It was noted by the EMS that Miss Applegate was yelling and laughing at them as they attempted to assist the complainants on the scene,” Ermine said.

Ermine then explained that upon Applegate’s arrest, she refused to provide a breath sample and proceeded to spit on the arresting RCMP officer. While Applegate was not formally charged with impaired driving, a strong smell of alcohol was observed on her breath, and she was “unsteady on her feet.”

“En route to the RCMP station it was noted she spit all over the interior of the patrol vehicle, and was swearing at and calling [the officer] names on the way to the detachment,” Ermine said.

In her remarks Defence lawyer Pam Cuelenaere explained her client was taking responsibility for her actions, and while alleging the complainants had challenged her, admitted she “over reacted.”

When given the opportunity to address the court, Applegate also apologized.

“I am just sorry it happened and so devastated that there was kids in the car,” she said.

When sentencing Applegate, Judge E. Kalenith said he considered the fact she had no criminal record and had abided by all the court conditions imposed on her thus far without fault.

“It is my conclusion that Ms. Applegate can safely serve the sentence in the community,” he said.

As part of her conditional sentence order, Applegate must keep the peace, abstain from alcohol, engage in addictions programming and must also complete 50 hours of community service.

The estimated cost of the damage was $6,100 but due to the financial penalties being imposed by SGI, the Crown said they were not seeking a restitution order. Both the Crown and Defence also indicated an injury claim was before SGI.

–

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell