WESTLOCK – A woman who said she was “completely consumed” by the music of Elton John while driving her son to a hockey tournament in late 2021 when she was clocked 50 km/h over the posted speed limit, apologized profusely calling the incident “absolutely unacceptable” and now faces a huge fine, but won’t lose her driver’s licence.
In Westlock Court of Justice Aug. 2, Amy Denise Michaud pleaded guilty to speeding and received a $1,000 fine from Justice Thomas Achtymichuk. And while provincial Crown Shelia Ries had asked that Michaud also receive a two-week driver’s licence suspension due to her 12-year-old son being in the passenger seat when she was pulled over at 10:06 a.m., Nov. 6, 2021, travelling 150 km/h on Highway 44 in Westlock County, Justice Achtymichuk declined stating it would place an undue hardship on the woman, who’s a single mother. Justice Achtymichuk gave Michaud until March 31, 2024, to pay the fine or spend eight days in jail.
Michaud told Justice Achtymichuk that she and her son were heading to a hockey tournament which was a “rare getaway” as at the time her daughter was seriously ill and their “life revolved around her care” — Michaud said her daughter passed away three months later.
“Music is our way to escape and in that moment were consumed in pure joy. We had one of our favourite Elton John CDs in and Crocodile Rock was on and that’s when I was completely consumed in the moment with my son,” said Michaud, who repeatedly choked back tears while addressing Justice Achtymichuk. “I didn’t realize how fast I was going which is absolutely unacceptable and I was quite shocked to learn the speed that the officer said I was going as I had never driven that fast in my life and would never go that fast, especially with my son in the vehicle. I’m very ashamed of my behaviour that day and am very thankful that my actions didn’t harm anyone.”
Michaud, who said she’s been driving for 24 years, said since the incident she no longer listens to music in her vehicle and “I promise you your honour this was not normal or usual behaviour for me” and she will never allow herself “to become distracted like that again.”
“I want to apologize for my actions and realize there will be consequences and I am taking ownership for my actions,” she said. “I work in healthcare and have dedicated my life to helping others. In no way would I ever want to hurt or injure another person.”
Justice Achtymichuk said while he could understand “getting caught up in the moment” and going 10, 20 or even 30 km/h over the limit, 50 km/h took it to another level.
“Fifty kilometres over the speed limit is dangerous. It’s dangerous to your son and to other people,” said Justice Achtymichuk. “The only reason why I’m not imposing a driving suspension is because you are a single mother, and you rely on your driver’s licence. You do have a history of some traffic violations, but those are old and you don’t have anything from 2019 until today.”
