'Am I drunk or what?' firefighter asked as officer prepared breathalyzer
'Am I drunk or what?' firefighter asked as officer prepared breathalyzer
By CHRIS COBB, Ottawa Citizen May 15, 2014
Jennifer Leonard leaves the Elgin St. courthouse in Ottawa, Tuesday, May
13, 2014. Leonard was a bicyclist who was the victim of a hit-and-run
driver. Trevor Clarke (not pictured), a volunteer firefighter, is on
trial accused of that crime and also for driving while intoxicated. The
case is expected to run for three days. Mike Carroccetto / Ottawa
Citizen NEG# 117060
Photograph by: Mike Carroccetto , Ottawa Citizen
Volunteer firefighter Trevor Clarke was almost four times over the legal
blood-alcohol limit to drive the afternoon his vehicle allegedly
collided with a cyclist near the Carp Road, his trial heard Wednesday.
“Am I drunk or what?” Clarke asked arresting officer Const. Jennifer
Harper as she prepared a breathalyzer test, recorded on video.
Clarke, 36, has pleaded not guilty to driving while impaired, driving
while impaired causing bodily harm, and leaving the scene of an
accident.
The cyclist, 45-year-old nurse Jennifer Leonard, was left critically
injured by McGee Side Road and had to undergo major brain surgery after
the accident.
Leonard testified that she continues to struggle with several physical
and emotional problems.
At one point during the breathalyzer process, Clarke denied he had been
drinking but admitted that his wife had been concerned at his alcohol
consumption.
“She thinks I drink too much,” he told Harper. “I don’t think so.
“I don’t know why the f*** I’m here,” he said. “Sorry for my French.”
Harper explained to Clarke that someone at the fire station had called
the police because they were concerned about his condition.
According to previous evidence, Clarke had arrived at the fire station
shortly after the alleged collision and his pick up truck had what
appeared to be recent marks on its body.
Clarke was occasionally abrasive and showed signs of impairment but
generally co-operative during their encounter, said Harper.
Station Chief Chris Burke testified Tuesday that while he didn’t smell
alcohol on Clarke, the 36-year-old wasn’t responding to his questions
with words.
“It was more a blank stare,” Burke said.
At one point, added Burke, Clarke said he didn’t know where he was.
Leonard has recently returned to her nursing work at the
Queensway-Carleton Hospital but is being shadowed by other nurses to
ensure she performs her tasks correctly.
The trial continues Thursday.
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Anyone having any information regarding Constable Jennifer Harper is asked to contact the Ottawa Mens Centre
OttawaMensCentre@Gmail.com or call (613) 797-3237