Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 27/01) - An Inuvik resident faces jail time plus fines after being convicted last week of driving while impaired, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

The trial for Lloyd Gregory Nissen, 47, was held July 12 in territorial court, and stemmed from incidents that occurred in Inuvik in the early morning hours of November 12, 2000.

The court heard testimony that Nissen, driving a Dodge pickup, rear-ended a vehicle parked in front of the Mad Trapper.

After hitting the vehicle, Nissen stopped and briefly left his pickup in front of Midtown Market (which is where the other vehicle came to a stop).

Judge E.R. Wachowich sentenced Nissen to a 90-day jail term, to be served on weekends. Nissen had two previous convictions relating to impaired driving, and the prison term he received is the minimum sentence for someone facing a third conviction.

Nissen was also fined $250 in restitution, $200 for failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and a surcharge of $35. He also is prohibited from driving for three years.

Crown prosecutor Caroline Carrasco had asked for a jail term of four months.

Nissen was cleared of a charge of driving while over the legal limit. His lawyer argued a blood-alcohol test was administered too long after the incident to serve as an accurate gauge of Nissen's state of intoxication at the time of the accident.