Anish Kumar of Surrey crossed the centre lane on Clement Avenue near Richter Street in Kelowna on February 2016 with his new Mercedes, smashing into an oncoming mini-van carrying four people and injuring them before crashing into a parked car. Kumar was sentenced to six months in jail for dangerous driving after crashing into two vehicles two years ago.

SURREY – An Indo-Canadian man from Surrey who was a former UBCO student in Kelowna was sentenced to six months in jail for dangerous driving after crashing into two vehicles two years ago.

In February of 2016, Anish Kumar crossed the centre lane on Clement Avenue near Richter Street with his new Mercedes, smashing into an oncoming mini-van carrying four people and injuring them before crashing into a parked car.

According to the prosecutor, when police arrived at the accident scene, they said they smelled alcohol on Kumar’s breath, that his speech was slurred and was he struggling to keep his balance, reported Global News.

Kumar pled guilty to dangerous driving causing bodily harm and the alcohol-related charges were thrown out. The court heard how Kumar had spent the day prior to the crash at Big White with friends before returning to Kelowna. Several hours later, the crash happened

The Crown said Kumar’s first words to witnesses after the crash were “I just bought this car.”

According to the Crown, Kumar told police that he only had a couple of beers at Big White, but told another officer that he only had one drink.

In his defence, Kumar maintained he lost control of his vehicle because it was dark and that he was confused because he wasn’t familiar with Clement Avenue.

The Crown was asking for a jail sentence between nine and 12 months with a three year driving ban. The defence was asking for a suspended sentence and a one year driving prohibition.

Kumar dropped his studies at UBCO and moved back to Surrey.

On Wednesday in Kelowna, a judge sentenced Kumar to six months in jail while also handing him a two-year driving prohibition.