A British Columbia man has been handed a nearly five-year jail sentence following his 21st conviction for impaired driving, marking what authorities believe is the highest number of such convictions in Canadian history. The Abbotsford Police Department released details of the incident on August 15, 2022, when they responded to a report of a motorcycle accident in the 1800 block of Clearbrook Road.
The motorcycle owner, identified as 66-year-old Roy Heide, had a well-documented history of prohibited and impaired driving offenses. Upon police arrival, a passenger of the motorcycle was being treated for serious injuries, while Heide attempted to flee but was identified with the help of witnesses.
Heide was subsequently arrested for driving while prohibited and detained for an impaired driving investigation. His blood alcohol content was found to be more than two times the legal limit. On December 18, 2023, Heide pleaded guilty to impaired driving, driving while disqualified, and driving while prohibited, resulting in a total sentence of four years and 354 days in jail.
The Abbotsford Police Department expressed deep concern over the 21st conviction for impaired driving, emphasizing the potential devastating consequences of such actions on innocent road users. Sergeant Paul Walker highlighted the ongoing efforts of frontline officers in enforcing impaired driving laws, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to driving while impaired. In 2022, 870 impaired drivers were removed from Abbotsford roadways, and in 2023, nearly 800 impaired drivers have already been taken off the streets.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of impaired driving, prompting authorities to encourage community members to report possible impaired drivers to the police.