A Nova Scotia truck driver pleaded guilty this week to charges of dangerous driving and impaired operation after being stopped behind the wheel of a fully loaded tractor-trailer with a blood alcohol level nearly five times the legal limit.
Drew Victor Macdonald, 34, admitted to the offenses at the Quebec City courthouse on Wednesday, narrowly avoiding the start of a scheduled two-day trial.
The charges stem from a disturbing incident that occurred on the morning of March 23, 2024, when concerned motorists reported a swerving double-trailer truck heading toward the Pierre-Laporte Bridge.
Erratic Driving Caught on Highway Cameras
A transportation ministry camera operator spotted the rig, which was towing two 53-foot trailers, weaving dangerously in traffic. The employee continued monitoring the vehicle and coordinated with local police to track its movements through city streets.
Officers with the Sûreté du Québec located the vehicle on Charest Boulevard as it turned onto Avenue Saint-Sacrement. The truck then mounted a sidewalk right in front of a patrol car, prompting immediate intervention.
Signs of Severe Impairment
Macdonald, a heavy-set man, reportedly had bloodshot, glassy eyes and struggled to maintain balance as he stepped out of the cab. Officers noted that he was slurring his speech, swaying, and had to hold onto the truck door to avoid falling.
When asked about his condition, Macdonald initially told the officer he had only smoked a joint. However, the strong odor of alcohol and his unstable behavior told a different story.
Inside the cab, officers found a 1.75-litre bottle of whisky, mostly empty, and three empty vodka-based ready-to-drink cans. The truck itself reeked of alcohol.
Macdonald required assistance to get into the police cruiser. At the station, he had to be held upright to prevent him from collapsing during the breathalyzer process, which was delayed due to repeated belching.
Blood Alcohol Level of 0.38
At 8:44 a.m., nearly two hours after the first 911 calls, Macdonald’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.38 mg/100 ml, according to the court record — that’s 4.75 times the legal limit of 0.08.
Macdonald has no prior criminal record. His lawyer, Me Richard Philippe Guay, requested a pre-sentencing report to guide the court ahead of a sentencing hearing scheduled for November.
The case has raised fresh concerns about impaired driving in the commercial transport sector, especially given the potential scale of harm had the incident resulted in a collision.
