Impaired driver arrested after dangerous events in Kingston’s west end
Those in the Cataraqui North neighbourhood of Kingston’s west end began reporting startling incidents involving an impaired driver narrowly missing both pedestrians and other vehicles just before 10 p.m. on the night of Wednesday, Jun. 23, 2021.
According to Kingston Police, local emergency dispatch services began receiving numerous 911 calls from witnesses who had observed a female driving erratically in the area of Andersen Drive and Atkinson Street. Witnesses reported numerous recycling bins having been hit, scattering debris around the area, and, according to Kingston Police, the accused woman was observed driving dangerously southbound on Anderson Drive before being seen crossing the centre of the roadway, when the recycling bins and some garbage cans were run over. The driver then struck several parked and unattended cars before colliding with a tree in close proximity to a residence.
During this activity, several people attempted to avoid the unpredictable driving.
“One witness had even been forced to dive out of the way of the oncoming vehicle on his own property to avoid being struck,” Kingston Police said in a press release on Thursday, Jun. 24, 2021.
“A witness intervened and took the keys out of the ignition prior to police arrival. Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident.”
Police arrived not long after, and officers made observations that the accused woman was impaired by alcohol, according to Kingston Police. The woman was arrested and taken to Kingston Police Headquarters, where she provided two breath samples and was found to have more than two times the legal limit of alcohol in her system.
Cornelia Kennedy, 54, of Kingston was charged with:
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance (vehicle)
- Impaired operation of a conveyance
- Impaired operation of a conveyance while exceeding blood alcohol concentration
Kennedy was later released with a future court date. Her driver’s licence was automatically suspended for 90 days, and she will face a minimum one-year suspension if convicted. Additionally, the vehicle was seized and impounded for seven days. Kennedy will be responsible for all related fees and fines.