Nickelback Frontman Fined $600 For Drunk Driving
Posted May 1, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger will have to pay a $600 fine and spend a year without driving after a judge sentenced him Thursday for drunk driving.
Kroeger, whose real name is Chad Turton, was stopped for speeding in his red, $175,000 Lamborghini in suburban Surrey in June 2006.
His blood alcohol reading was 0.14, almost twice the legal limit.
Kroeger, 33, arrived in court well before the hearing Thursday morning wearing a long black trench coat.
Outside court following the sentencing, he was asked if he had anything to say to his young fans.
“Don’t drink and drive. Absolutely,” he replied. When asked how the ordeal has been, he said it’s “been a little trying.”
“I don’t condone drinking and driving. I don’t think you should do it. Everybody makes mistakes.”
The sentence is the minimum and was endorsed by the Crown.
His lawyer, Marvin Stern, noted the singer’s charitable works including raising money for women’s issues and said the driving prohibition will be an inconvenience because Kroeger lives in a rural area.
“This is a matter that has been a significant intrusion in his life,” said Stern.
Vancouver-based Nickelback has won nine Juno Awards and had seven Grammy nominations and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Kroeger’s lawyer tried to have the charges dropped by arguing the Mountie who stopped the singer conducted an unlawful search by having the Kroeger blow in his face after detecting the smell of alcohol.
Stern also claimed the police took too long in getting Kroeger back to the detachment for a breath sample.
But Justice Peder Gulbrandsen ruled there were legitimate reasons for the nearly two-hour delay as the arresting officer made arrangements for Kroeger’s car to be towed.
Gulbrandsen said the Mounties did not have the means to remove the singer’s car from the scene without Kroeger remaining there.
“It was obvious that Mr. Turton was very concerned about his car,” Gulbrandsen said in his written judgment.
“He was not being unreasonable. It was worth about $175,000 and was not a vehicle that most towing companies handle very often, if ever.”
Nickelback was formed in Hanna, Alta., by Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Brandon Kroeger but relocated to Vancouver. The band has won nine Juno Awards and had seven Grammy nominations and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame last year.
Nickelback Singer Convicted Of Drunk Driving
Musician Chad Kroeger and guest arrive at the Warner Music Group 2008 GRAMMY Awards after party held at Vibiana on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
