Man who struck Alta. cyclist 3 times alcohol limit
Clarence Moase found with half-empty bottle of vodka
A 49-year-old Kensington man who pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing the death of an Alberta cyclist this summer, had close to three times the legal amount of alcohol in his system, it was revealed at his sentencing hearing Friday morning.
Clarence Arnold Moase was driving a van that struck Elizabeth Ann Sovis, 63, of Edmonton, who was cycling just north of Hunter River on July 14 with her husband, Edmund Aunger. Sovis died at the scene.
Moase didn't brake or veer his van to avoid Sovis who was riding on Rennie's Road, a highway without shoulders.
He drove about half a kilometre before turning around and returning to the scene. When RCMP arrived, he was standing beside his van.
RCMP found a half-empty 1.14-litre bottle of vodka in the vehicle and Moase's blood-alcohol reading was close to three times the legal limit.
The Crown is asking the judge to sentence Moase — who has four prior drinking and driving convictions — to eight years in prison.
Moase's lawyer is asking for a sentence in the three to four year range, saying Moase pleaded guilty, is genuinely remorseful and is now attending AA meetings.
P.E.I. Supreme Court Justice John Mitchell said he needed the weekend to make his decision.
The hearing will resume Tuesday.