A quiet morning at a Sarnia gas station took a harrowing turn when police discovered a man slumped over the wheel of his truck, a needle visibly protruding from his arm. The scene unfolded at Gen7 Fuel on Indian Road South, raising immediate concerns for public safety.
Craig Goodreau, 35, of Tilbury, had pulled into the parking lot and injected what is believed to be fentanyl. An observant gas station employee, noticing the idling pickup truck remained stationary for an extended period, alerted authorities when they saw the driver was unresponsive.
Responding officers quickly secured the vehicle, preventing a potential runaway hazard, and attempted to rouse the driver. The grim discovery of the needle immediately underscored the severity of the situation and the potential danger to first responders.
Goodreau awoke disoriented and was taken to both a hospital and then to the Sarnia police station. A drug expert confirmed he was significantly impaired by a narcotic analgesic, and subsequent toxicology reports revealed a cocktail of substances in his system, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.
This wasn’t Goodreau’s first brush with impaired driving. He had a prior conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol in Chatham dating back to 2010, adding weight to the seriousness of the current charges.
His lawyer argued that the incident stemmed from a relapse during a period of intense emotional distress, emphasizing that Goodreau proactively sought rehabilitation the day after his arrest and has maintained sobriety since. She highlighted his genuine remorse and understanding of the risk he posed.
However, the Crown countered that the circumstances demanded a jail sentence, citing Goodreau’s criminal history and the inherent danger he created for both the public and the first responders who encountered the exposed needle in a busy location.
Justice Mark Poland acknowledged the gravity of the situation, describing it as a “textbook definition of a low point.” He ultimately imposed a sentence of house arrest, swayed by Goodreau’s apology and his commitment to recovery through rehabilitation.
“I know I made some mistakes,” Goodreau stated in court, a simple admission that underscored the profound consequences of his actions and his willingness to take responsibility.
