Provincial posted Dec 29, 2023 @ 11:00am by Josh Duncan

Most in Canadian history: BC man gets 5 years in jail after 21st impaired driving conviction

A British Columbian man has been sentenced to just under five years in jail for impaired driving and other road-related offences.

According to the Abbotsford Police Department (APD), 66-year-old Roy Heide’s most recent impaired driving conviction is his 21st.

It’s believed to be the single most convictions against a single person for impaired driving offences in Canadian history.

His most recent offence came in August 2022, when APD officers responded to a motorcycle accident in the 1800 block of Clearbrook Road.

Police say Heide, the registered owner of the motorcycle, was already well known to police for a history of prohibited and impaired driving offences.

<who>Photo Credit: Abbotsford Police Department</who>The scene of Heide's crash in August 2022.

“Upon police arrival, a passenger of the motorcycle was being treated by first responders for serious injuries,” explained an APD release.

“The driver, who attempted to flee the scene before police arrival, was identified with the assistance of witnesses.”

Heide was arrested for driving while prohibited and detained for an impaired driving investigation, during which he reportedly blew more than twice the legal limit.

"Impaired driving can have devastating consequences to innocent road users as a result of an impaired driver's decision to drive impaired,” said Sgt. Paul Walker.

On Dec. 18, 2023, Heide pleaded guilty to impaired driving, driving while disqualified and driving while prohibited.

He was sentenced to four years and 354 days in jail.

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