R v Leis, 2021 ONCJ 86

After Gladue factors were considered, a young Indigenous woman was sentenced to three years in a penitentiary for causing an explosion from colliding into a home while driving under the influence.

Indigenous Law Centre – CaseWatch Blog

Daniella Leis, pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm contrary to s 320.14(2) of the Criminal Code. Driving with blood alcohol being twice the legal limit, she caused an explosion in the historic East Village of London when she severed a gas line as a result of her vehicle colliding with a home.

The accused is a 24 year old Indigenous woman, and is a registered member of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. A Gladue Report was prepared. There was a history of family members who attended residential schools, which resulted in an upbringing wrought with substance abuse and domestic violence.

Despite her Gladue factors, Ms Leis drove from Kitchener to London to attend a concert knowing that she would be consuming alcohol. Given the amount of alcohol consumed, as well as consuming marijuana, it is hard to see how she mistakenly believed she was in any condition to drive. This decision risked the lives and safety of others. Ms. Leis has high moral blameworthiness in this matter, although not as high as it otherwise would be in the absence of Gladue factors. She is fortunate that no one was killed as result of her conduct. Thereby, Ms. Leis is sentenced to three years in the penitentiary, concurrent on all matters.

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