A North Vancouver man who led police on a highspeed car chase in Lower Lonsdale while he was drunk has been handed a six-month conditional sentence, including three months of house arrest, and been banned from driving for two years.
James Patrick Marquette, 43, was handed the sentence Wednesday by Judge John Milne of the North Vancouver provincial court after pleading guilty to driving with a blood alcohol reading of over .08, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.
Marquette caught the attention of RCMP on April 12, 2012 when officers were called to a loud argument between Marquette and his brother-in-law, who were both intoxicated, outside a home on East 2nd Street. Police called a taxi to take Marquette home, advising him he was too drunk to drive.
But while officers were still at the Lower Lonsdale address, the taxi returned, and Marquette jumped out, got in his truck and roared off at high speed.
Police gave chase in their cruiser, pursuing Marquette up St. George's Avenue, and along East 5th where he blew through stop signs at both St. Patrick's and St. Andrews at speeds of 100 kilometres per hour. Officers became so concerned, they halted the chase and tried to go another direction to cut him off, said Crown prosecutor Lori Ashton.
But by the time they caught up with him, Marquette had already crashed his truck into two parked cars on East 5th near Ridgeway, sheering the side off one vehicle and flipping another in the process.
Police pursued Marquette on foot and found him running into a yard six blocks north.
Back at the detachment, he later blew Breathalyzer readings of .210.
Marquette has no criminal record but does have an extensive record for driving infractions, including speeding and driving while prohibited.
In addition to the driving ban and house arrest, Marquette must pay fines totalling more than $1,800, including one for subsequently driving while prohibited when police caught him on his motorcycle.
While on his conditional sentence, Marquette is banned from drinking alcohol, must take substance abuse counselling and obey a curfew.
