Aggressive driving leads to rollover, guilty plea and new start

Shayna Nadjiwon's aggressiveness behind the wheel as she travelled along Sault Ste. Marie streets on a fall afternoon came to an abrupt end when the SUV rolled-over at an intersection.

The young woman and her passenger were trapped inside when police arrived at the Lake Street and Creery Avenue crash scene, a judge heard Tuesday.

Nadjiwon pleaded guilty to two charges -- flight from a police officer and driving while suspended -- stemming from the Oct. 12, 2021 incident.

The 29-year-old also was convicted of breaching probation and failing to attend court.

Police were contacted at 3:30 p.m. about a motorist's erratic driving at a Tim Hortons outlet on Trunk Road.

The vehicle was spotted cutting across two lanes on the street, and cutting off a truck, prosecutor Blair Hagan said.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it accelerated up the hill to MacDonald Avenue.

They didn't pursue the vehicle, but not long after received a report of the roll-over.

Nadjiwon was a suspended driver at the time because of her unpaid fines, Ontario Court Justice Dana Peterson heard.

The Crown and defence lawyer Jessica Belisle jointly recommended that the accused receive a suspended sentence with 12 months probation for the flight from police offence.

They called for a $2,000 fine for the Highway Traffic Act offence.

Belisle told the judge the lawyers reached this position following significant discussion.

There are Gladue factors and Nadjiwon has struggled with addiction for some time, she said.

Her client has taken steps, including attending a 90-day residential program in North Bay, and is involved in a 12-week follow-up program.

Nadjiwon has been working hard and is remorseful for her actions, Belisle said.

"This is a success story in my eyes. She has struggled for years and has been on a clear path since October."

Hagan said Nadjiwon has a criminal record, but the mitigating steps and rehabilitation she's taken to address her addiction "are more signficant for the Crown."

"She did well in the 90-day program."

When she imposed the sentence, the judge noted the woman's long-time struggle with substance abuse.

Completing such a lengthy residential program is significant, Peterson said.

She told Nadjiwon "others with your record and driving are vulnerable to a jail sentence."

But it is "far better to see you spend 90 days in a program rather than 90 days in jail."

Nadjiwon has taken responsibility for her actions, the judge said, noting the outcome of her driving conduct could have been worse.

"I haven't heard anyone was injured."

During her probation, Nadjiwon must take any recommended assessment, counselling and programs for substance abuse,

Peterson imposed the $2,000 fine, which is the minimum monetary penalty for the HTA offence, and gave her two years to pay it.

Nadjiwon is also prohibited from driving for two years.

After agreeing to a defence request to transfer the probation order to Sudbury, Peterson told her "sometimes relocating and a fresh start is exactly what you need."