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CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Calgarian who failed to provide a breathalyser sample says she's never drank, was injured
A Calgary woman charged after she was unable to provide a breathalyser sample says she was injured at the time and has never once drank. Now, she's fighting the expensive and humiliating charge. Pam Lacusta was pulled over for speeding by a police officer in an unmarked vehicle on 114 Avenue near Stoney Trail S.E., just after 11:30 a.m. on April 24. 'I rolled down my window and [the officer] said, 'I am going to conduct a breathalyzer on you,' said Lacusta. 'Immediately, I thought to myself, 'What? Why?'' Lacusta is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and doesn't drink. 'Part of my religion is abstinence from alcohol and drugs, and I have never partaken in either of these in my life,' she said. After 30 attempts to provide a breathalyser sample, Lacusta was charged with an Immediate Roadside Sanction Fail (IRS Fail). 'Every time I was able to just get a good blow in or a good breath in, he would yank it out and he would say, 'Your teeth are in the way,' 'Your tongue is in the way,' 'You're trying to manipulate the test,'' Lacusta said. 'I have never seen a breathalyzer, I do not know how to do it.' Lacusta's charge, under the Traffic Safety Act, alleges she 'failed or refused, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a demand made on [her].' Her license was suspended for 90 days, and her vehicle was impounded for 30. She had to pay $1,600 to get it out of the impound lot. Following her 90-day licence suspension, Lacusta needs to take a Planning Ahead course from the Alberta Motor Association, which costs $400 and takes a year to complete. She will also need to get a breathalyser installed in her vehicle – costing $115 per month – and her insurance will no longer cover her. 'I am being treated like I was a drunk driver,' she complained. 'This has been a small nightmare, I do not wish this on anyone.' Lacusta says she was able to produce a clean urine sample immediately after the incident, and called a lawyer the following day. With her lawyer's help, she appealed her charge with the Safe Roads Appeal Committee. However, it was denied by an adjudicator as they sided with the officer and disputed her independent lab results showing her sobriety through a urine test. Doug King, a criminal justice professor at Mount Royal University says Lacusta would have had a minimum of 14 days to collect documentation and provide it to an adjudicator. Lacusta says when she met with a doctor in early June, more than a month after the incident, to determine if there was something medically wrong with her that would have prevented her from being able to provide a breath sample. She discovered she had two broken ribs, which she says dated back to a fall that happened on April 1. 'The onus falls on the person who has to provide the documentation to get it done or to get legal representation to help you through it,' King said. 'It's a tragic situation.' 'The process is that you can have a hearing, in which you can provide evidence of a reasonable excuse. She failed to do that.' Lacusta has a court date scheduled for September 2026. CTV News has reached out to the Ministry Justice and is waiting to hear back.
Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Edmonton police officer pulled over for traffic control gets rear-ended by semi
An Edmonton police officer suffered non-life threatening injuries early Thursday after being rear-ended by a double-trailer semi truck while pulled over doing traffic control on Anthony Henday Drive near Sherwood Park. Article content Extra duty detail officers were facilitating a vessel move in the southbound lanes of the Henday, just south of the Whitemud Drive overpass, around 2:40 a.m., when the semi struck the officer's stationary marked patrol vehicle with overhead emergency lights activated, police said in a news release. Article content Article content Article content EMS responded, treated and transported the lone officer in the police vehicle to hospital with seemingly non-life-threatening injuries. The officer has since been released. No other injuries were reported. Article content Article content Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is now investigating this collision. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. The driver of the semi remained on scene. Article content 'When incidents like this occur, we must reinforce our message asking motorists to slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck with emergency lights activated,' says acting Staff Sergeant Brad Harsch with MCIS. Article content 'Conducting vehicle stops or traffic control are risks police regularly navigate, but it is important for motorists to recognize the hazards and the potential consequences a member of the public or officer can face if traffic laws are not followed. We are thankful our officer is alive and apparently not seriously injured.' Article content Article content Motorists are asked to please remain focused on the safe operation of their vehicles and the traffic around them. Article content Article content Further, Alberta's Traffic Safety Act (TSA) requires drivers to slow down to 60 km/h when passing emergency vehicles and tow trucks with emergency lights engaged and working roadside, said police. If possible, drivers should provide one lane of space on multi-lane roadways. Article content
Calgary Herald
17-07-2025
- Calgary Herald
'Like company Christmas parties:' Hells Angels member describes national gathering in Calgary
Hundreds of Hells Angels members from across Canada gathering in Calgary on the weekend will enjoy a good-natured get-together akin to a company Christmas party, a member of the club's Calgary chapter said Thursday. Article content On Wednesday, a public advisory about the gathering held annually in different parts of Canada was issued by city police, who, along with other law enforcement agencies, view the motorcycle club as an organized crime outfit involved in drug trafficking and other activities. Article content Article content Article content But the long-time Calgary member called that 'propaganda' and noted the police statement predicted there'd likely be no trouble coming from he and his colleagues during the Friday and Saturday event. Article content Article content 'It's like any company, you have your Christmas parties.' Article content A circus tent has been set up for the party at the local Hells Angels clubhouse in southeast Calgary where up to 600 members hailing from every province will eat, drink and socialize, he said. Among them, he said, will be about 25 members of the club's two Calgary chapters. Article content Shuttles will be provided to take attendees to their hotels afterwards 'so nobody drinks and drives,' added the man, who said he's been a full-fledged member for 26 years. Article content Police said they'll be closely monitoring 'those attending and ensuring they abide by the law, including the Traffic Safety Act.' Article content Article content The Calgary club member said he expects officers to be doing just that, noting the weatherforecast is for rain. Article content 'They'll likely have hundreds watching the party and good on them – I hope they get wet,' he said. Article content Even so, the man said Calgary police tend to be more easygoing with club members compared to those in Winnipeg and Edmonton, the latter who are 'in your face, trying to push your buttons.'
Calgary Herald
17-07-2025
- Calgary Herald
Hells Angels' upcoming gathering prompts advisory from Calgary police
Members from one of Canada's most notorious biker gangs are expected to gather in Calgary this weekend, prompting an advisory from local police on Wednesday. Article content A Calgary Police Service advisory states residents may see an influx of members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, who will be in the city Friday for a planned gathering. Article content Article content The gang's presence will result in an increased police presence throughout the city, the CPS release added, as police monitor the activities of members to ensure they abide by the law, including the Traffic Safety Act. Article content Article content 'Historically these types of gatherings have passed without incident,' the release said. 'CPS, however, will be enforcing laws with this group as we would with any citizen.' Article content Hells Angels has had a Calgary chapter since July 20, 1997, according to Herald archives, and held a large-scale gathering here in 2017 to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the gang's presence in Calgary. Article content While many of the gang's gatherings in Calgary have gone smoothly, some of its illegal operations has generated a significant police response. Article content An example was in March 2001, when roughly 200 police officers raided the Hells Angels clubhouse in Ogden and several other locations, seizing $1 million worth of illegal drugs and weapons. The raid resulted in charges being laid against 43 individuals, eight of whom were members of Hells Angels' Calgary chapter. Article content
Global News
16-07-2025
- Global News
Outlaw motorcycle gang members expected to descend on Calgary
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) is warning residents about an expected influx of motorcycle gang members in the city this weekend. CPS has issued a public advisory that members of both the Outlaw motorcycle gang and the Hells Angels motorcycle club are expected to arrive in the city in the coming days, particularly on Friday, July 18, 2025. CPS said it is also planning to have an increased presence of officers throughout the city to monitor the activities of the motorcycle gangs and ensure they abide by the law, including obeying the Traffic Safety Act. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Police say they do not anticipate any increased risk to public safety because motorcycle gangs hold several events across Canada each year and most of the gatherings have passed without incident. 0:42 East Vancouver Hells Angles clubhouse for sale However, CPS is encouraging Calgarians to report any suspicious activity they see by calling 9-1-1 for any crime in progress or the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Story continues below advertisement Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at or by downloading the Crime Stoppers app (P3 Tips) from the app store.
