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Kraushaar said his client was diagnosed with PTSD and has been seeking treatment for a year.

“He’s dealt with and seen some very difficult and traumatic things throughout his time with EMS and the police,” the defence lawyer said.

Kraushaar said Ash started using alcohol as a way to try to sleep at night, and ultimately developed both an alcohol dependency and high tolerance for it, which meant he had fewer signs and symptoms of impairment at the higher readings than some would have.

Crown prosecutor Bill Burge told the court that, shortly after 10 p.m. on the August date, a driver witnessed a collision between two vehicles in the Harbour Landing area. The witness followed after one of the vehicles left the scene, snapping a photo of the licence plate and sending it to city police.

A police check into the plate took officers to Ash’s door. Burge said the off-duty officer showed symptoms of impairment and subsequently provided two blood-alcohol readings, both at .16.

Burge said no one was injured in the collision.

Ash had no previous criminal record.

Kraushaar said his client was co-operative with police investigating the offence and that he deeply regrets his actions that night, not least of all because his kids were in the vehicle with him.

“He hasn’t had a drop of alcohol since,” Kraushaar said, adding his client paid $30,000 for a 30-day treatment program to help him deal with his alcohol dependency.

Rayner said it seemed clear Ash understands the error of his ways — in no small part because, as someone with experience with both policing and EMS, he knows the impact of impaired driving — but reminded him nonetheless of the dangerous situation he created.

“I can only hope, sir, that you’re able to deal with (your problems) so that you don’t again expose yourself, the public and as well your children to this sort of potential harm that you did here,” Rayner said.

hpolischuk@postmedia.com

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